
Class F/A/C 

Book MZj 



I 

FIFTEEN YEARS 

C A NAD A; '' ^ 

BEING A 

SERIES' OF LETTERS ON ITS EARLY HISTORY 
AND SETTLEMENT; 



BOUNDARIES, DIVISIONS, POPULATION, AND GENERAL ROUTES ,* 

ITS 

AGRICULTURAL PROGRESS AND WEALTH 

COMPARED WITH THE 

UNITED STATES; 



ITS RELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ; 
AND 

ITS PRESENT POLITICAL CONDITION AND RELATIONS 

TOGETHER WITH 
THE ADVANTAGES IT AFFORDS AS A DESIREABLE FIELD 

OF 

EMIGRATION. 



BY THE REV. WILLIAM HAW. 

'i 



EDINBURGH: 
PUBLISHED BY CHARLES ZIEGLER, 17, SOUTH BRIDGE; 

AND 
PARTRIDGE AND OAKEY, LONDON. 



1850. 
Price Is. 3d. 









^ 



/ 



*9, 



V 



•< 



CONTENTS 



LETTER I. 

Canada— Its Early History and Settlement — Boundaries — Divisions— Cities 
— Towns — Population — Property — General Routes and Distances. 

LETTER II. 

Climate— Natural Productions, Trees, Fruit, Flowers— Wild Beasts, Birds, 
Fish— Mineral Wealth— Mineral Springs— Mining. 

LETTER III. 

Commerce — Exports— Imports— Shipping — Revenue— Public Debt— Manu- 
factures— Railroads— Banks. 

LETTER IV. 

Canada— Compared with the United States in Agricultural Progress and 
Wealth — Agricultural Societies. 

LETTER V. 

Religious and Educational Institutions. 

LETTER VI. 

Present Political Condition of Canada. 

LETTER VII. 

Who ought to Emigrate, and what class of Persons are most likely to 
succeed in Canada. 

LETTER VIII. 

General Advice— Preparation for the Voyage — Selection of a Port and Ship — 
Time of Departure — Course to be pursued on Arrival. , 



INTRODUCTION 



In presenting the following Letters to the Public, the Author is fully- 
aware that a natural curiosity, combined with the acknowledged impor- 
tance of the subject of Emigration, will prompt many to inquire who 
the Author is — what the nature of the opportunities and facilities he has 
had of forming a correct opinion, and qualifying him to impart correct 
information; and not a few may be equally anxious to discover the end 
he is seeking to obtain, and analyze the motives by which he is actuated. 
As such curiosity may be regarded natural, and not at all unreasonable, 
we shall proceed, without hesitation, at once to gratify our readers upon 
these points, by simply remarking, that having resided fifteen years in 
Canada West, and travelled during that time more than 10,000 miles in 
the discharge of our professional duties, and over 2000 on business and 
otherwise, mingling constantly with all classes of society, and visiting 
many of the remotest settlements, and having had constant access to the 
most reliable and authentic sources of information, we think it will be 
most readily conceded, that we possess at least, qualifications for our 
undertaking, not enjoyed by the mere transient visitor, or occasional 
tourist, several of whom, in writing on the subject, are manifestly inac- 
curate as to statistic information, and some grossly ignorant of the con- 
dition and resources of the country. As regards the object we have in 
view, and the considerations by which we are influenced, we may be per- 
mitted to remark, that we have no personal ends to serve — no vast 
estates to dispose of — that we are not the hired agent of Government, 
or for any company — nor are we particularly anxious to propagate any 
purely speculative opinions upon the question of Emigration, or to se- 
cure fame as an Author; our object being simply to contribute to the 
temporal and social happiness and elevation of our fellow-countrymen, 
believing, as we do, that in whatever aspect the subject of Emigration 
may be contemplated, it is eminently adapted to accomplish this impor- 
tant end. 

We have satisfied ourselves, that, however questionable it may be as 
a panacea for the social evils of a particular nation, or as a speculative 
remedial measure applicable to the commercial and political evils of our 
own country, there can be no question at all, that it is a remedy for the 



VI 



individual. In vain do the mass of the people of Great Britain look to 
a reform of the political abuses of the country, or a release from the op- 
pressive taxation under which they groan. The progress of reform is 
confessedly too slow. Years must elapse before any great and essen- 
tially beneficial change takes place, and thousands, and millions of our 
starving population must sink by hunger and despair into a premature 
grave, and their children, as outcasts and beggars, must go mourning 
about our streets. 

The advocates of financial and other reforms, may persevere with 
unabated zeal, undaunted by the obstacles which lieiin^ their way, until 
they have secured a cheap and economical administration of Govern- 
ment, and the removal of the odious imposts and insupportaWe taxation 
which now paralyze the energies of the country, and render hopeless the 
condition of thousands ; yet when ail these desirable ends shall be at- 
tained, we venture to predict that all will fail to give employment to the 
unemployed, or remove the misery which nevertheless will continue to 
afflict a redundant population. We gave utterance to these sentiments 
fifteen years ago, and then put them to a practical test, nor have we 
met with any thing as a Colonist, in the course of our experience and ob- 
servation, or in the progressive developement of opinion in England or 
elsewhere, tending in any the slightest degree, to alter or modify our 
views, but, on the contrary, every thing calculated to strengthen our con- 
victions and confirm our opinions. 

We cannot, therefore, but regard those as wise in their generation, 
who are looking to the Western Hemisphere as a refuge from distress, 
disappointment, and poverty, and as a home, where tens of thousands 
of the broad acres of a virgin soil is courting the industry of man, and 
amply rewarding him for his toil ; nor can we forbear to express it as 
our firm conviction, that were half the attention given to this question 
by the Government, which is directed to measures much more question- 
able as to their ultimate results, and were half the energy of voluntary 
associations now expended in seeking to remove the palpable evils of 
our country, combined with the Government, in a well-defined and well- 
regulated system of Emigration, we think the evils deplored would be 
brought to a more speedy termination, ±h an by any of the great and or- 
ganic changes now so ardently sought for, however desirable they may 
be in themselves. 

It is utterly impossible for those who are opposed to systematic emi- 
gration, to form anything like a correct estimate of the advantages it is 
adapted to secure, both to the Parent State and her Colonies, from any 
data which Isolated or spontaneous examples furnish. They are too li- 
mited in their character and influence, and not unfrequently attended 
with partial evils and disastrous consequences. To be beneficial to the full 
extent contemplafed by its most enlightened advocates, there must be 
some comprehensive systematic organized plan of operations, by which 



the amassing field now offering in our Colonies throughout the world, 
may receive with advantage to both countries, the surplus population of 
Great Britain, thus extending not only the blessings of temporal com- 
fort, but of civil and religious freedom, by multiplying families in all 
regions, and ultimately forming nations and founding empires, whose 
laws, language, and institutions shall be one, and their future hopes and 
destinies identical. It is not, in our opinion, at all creditable to the so 
called benevolent age in which we live, or in harmony with the pro- 
fessed philanthropy, whose pulsation beats from the heart to the extre- 
mities of society; nor is it consistent with that enlightened and liberal 
policy, by which our rulers profess to be guided, that the question of the 
settlement of our Colonies, pregnant as it is with such lasting and in- 
calculable advantages to millions of our race, should be left to be prac- 
tically carried out in so hap-hazardous and unsatisfactory a manner, 
as that which has marked its progress up to the present period. 

If reformers and philanthopists, rulers and legislators, are not pre- 
pared to concede, that systematic emigration is " the " remedy for the 
evils which afflict the masses of a poverty-stricken and redundant popu- 
lation, they are doubtless prepared to admit, that it is a remedy the 
most practical in its character, and beneficial in its results, and should, 
therefore, receive at their hands, that share of attention which its grow- 
ing importance demands. It is not necessary, however, for us to extend 
our remarks, or multiply arguments upon this subject, it has been fre- 
quently presented to the public, and pressed upon the attention of the 
Colonial and Imperial Governments, by writers much more competent 
than ourselves. Indeed, we may assign this as one of the reasons for 
our present undertaking, having noticed that several of the books pub- 
lished upon the subject of Emigration to Canada, and professedly in- 
tended as guides to those who designed to make that country their fu- 
ture home, while they are not liable to the charge of inaccuracy, and are 
not out of date, are nevertheless so general in their character, that they 
are to be regarded as plans and schemes submitted to the consideration 
of Government, rather than as guides to the Emigrant — being obviously 
designed to advocate some systematic measures for the developement of 
the resources of the country. 

Our object in writing, is to supply this desideratum, by placing before 
our readers, authentic information relative to those subjects which more 
immediately concern that class of persons who are desirous of improving 
their circumstances, by removing to a new country, and by presenting 
Canada as it really is, enable them to determine whether she has not 
equal, if not superior claims to any of the numerous fields now inviting 
the attention of the Emigrant. We shall endeavour, therefore, to sup- 
ply the intending settler with more recent, comprehensive, and precise 
statistic details than has ever been presented in so condensed a form ; 
and though we have not written as much upon the subject as some of our 
readers might desire, or the materials at our command would have en- 



vm v 

abled us to do, yet if our humble efforts shall have tended in any degree 
to remove the prejudices, or correct any of the erroneous conceptions 
which some entertain, and shall aid any in coming to a decision upon a 
question which has long agitated their minds, the end will be gained, 
and we shall be satisfied. As to the mode we have adopted in communi- 
cating the information we have supplied, we have simply to state, that 
it appeared to us the most familiar, and best suited to our purpose in 
enabling us to give a definite answer to the various questions put to us 
by our friends in our daily intercourse with them ; and in doing so, we 
are exceedingly anxious to be correct and faithful, so that we may not be 
charged with the responsibility of unduly persuading or dissuading any 
one with respect to so important a step as that of Emigration. If, there- 
fore, any error should find its way into our Letters, it must be attributed 
to an imperfection of judgment in the arrangement of our materials, 
and to no other cause. 

Sunderland, February 1850. 



FIFTEEN YEARS IN CANADA, & c. 



LETTER I. 

Canada — Its Early History and Settlement— Boundaries— Divisions- 
Cities — Towns — Population — Property, and General Routes and 
Distances. 

Dear Friend, 

In answering your inquiries relative to the general 
features and geographical boundaries of Canada, it may not be alto- 
gether out of place to advert briefly to some of the principal inci- 
dents connected with its early settlement and history. It will not, 
I think, be disputed by any who are familiar with the history of the 
earliest discoveries of the " New World," that the English took a 
very prominent part in the discovery of North America. Various 
circumstances, however, combined to prevent them following up 
their early efforts ; and it is a singular fact, that the settlement of 
by far the greater part of what is now called British America, was 
effected by France. The first settlement of any importance made 
under the auspices of that power, was in 1535, by Jacques Cartier ; 
an able navigator of St Malo, who penetrated as far up the St Law- 
rence as the foot of the Ottawa, where those rivers form a junction, 
and landed on one of the principal islands, which he called " Mont 
Royal," (now Montreal.) Here he found a settlement of Indians 
called Hochelago — took possession of the territory, which he called 
New France — built a fort, and wintered in the country. On his 

B 



10 

return to Europe he took with him Donnaconna, a native chief, who 
was converted to the Roman Catholic faith ; and after a residence 
of four years, died in France. In 1540 Cartier again visited Ca- 
nada, having command of an expedition, consisting of five ships, 
fitted out by command of Francois de la Roque, Lord of Robervally 
who had been appointed Viceroy of Canada by the king of France, 
and who himself intended to follow with two additional ships. His 
departure, however, was postponed till the year 1542. In 1549, 
the same nobleman, accompanied by his brother, and a numerous 
train of adventurers, again embarked for Canada ; but they were 
never afterwards heard of. This disastrous event appears to have 
put an end to all further communication with the country for a 
number of years. The trade was renewed, however, after a lapse 
of more than thirty years, and was continued, with varying success, 
until they had obtained a permanent establishment in the country. 

Passing by the various fortunes of the French in their efforts to 
extend themselves through the country, and their frequent wars 
with the Iroquois, and other Indian tribes, we come to a period most 
memorable in the history of Canada. In 1757> when that cele- 
brated statesman, William Pitt, was invested with the reins of 
power, and called to controul the destinies of our country, it is sup- 
posed that one of the main objects of his policy was to obtain pos- 
session of the French, territories in America, and to form them, 
together with the British Colonies, into one vast dominion. In the 
accomplishment of this grand project he selected General Wolfe, who 
left England in the spring of 1759, with twenty sail of the line, and 
8000 troops, and arrived off the Isle of Orleans on the 26th of June. 
On the night of the 12th September, the " Heights of Abraham" 
were reached, Quebec was taken, and Wolfe fell to rise no more. 
Niagara was also taken by Sir William Johnston ; and on the 8th 
of September, 1760, Montreal, Detroit, Miehilimackinac, and all 
other places within the government of Canada, were surrendered to 
Great Britain ; and the destruction of a French fleet, sent out in 
aid of Canada, completed the annihilation of the French power on 
the continent of North America. 

In 1791, by an act of the Imperial Parliament, Canada was 
divided into separate provinces, designated Upper and Lower Ca- 
nada. The first parliament of the Upper Province, consisting of 
fifty members, met at Niagara on the 17th September, 1792. In 
1797 the second parliament met at Little York, (now Toronto,) 
which place continued to be the capital of the Upper Province, till 



11 



after the re- union of the two provinces in 1841, when Lord Syden- 
ham removed the seat of government to Kingston, where it remained 
till 1844, when it was removed to Montreal; and on the 22nd of 
October last, an official communication was addressed by the Pro- 
vincial Secretary to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, ap- 
prising that gentleman that His Excellency will meet the Provincial 
Parliament, in the City of Toronto, at its next session. The seat 
of government is therefore brought back again to the former capital 
of the Upper Province. The following is a list of the Governors, 
Presidents, and Administrators of Upper Canada, embraced within 
the above period :— . 



Names. 

Col. John Graves Simcoe, 
Hon. Peter Russell, 
Lieut. Gen. Peter Hunter, 
Hon. Alexander Grant, 
His Excellency Francis Gore, 
Maj. Gen. Sir Isaac Brock, 
Maj. Gen. Sir R. Hale Sheafe, Bt. 
Maj. Gen. F. Baron de Rotten- 
burgh, 
Lieut. Gen. Sir Gordon Drum- 

mond, G.C.B., 
Lieut. Gen. Sir George Murray, 

Bt., 
Maj. Gen. Sir Frederick Philipse 

Robinson, K.C.B., 
His Excellency Francis Gore, 
Hon. Samuel Smith, 
Maj. Gen. Sir Peregrine Mait- 

land, K.C.B., 
Hon. Samuel Smith, 
Maj. Gen. Sir Peregrine Mait- 

land, K.C.B. 
Maj. Gen. Sir John Colborne, 

K.C.B., 
Maj. Sir Francis Bond Head, 

K.C.H. 
Maj. Gen. Sir John Colborne, 

K.C.B. , 
Maj. Gen. Sir George Arthur, 

Knight, Commander of the 

Royal Hanoverian Guelphic 

Order, &c, 
Baron Sydenham and Toronto, 
Lower Canada, 



Titles. 
Lieut. Governor, 
President, 
Lieut. Governor, 
President, 
Lieut. Governor, 
President, 
President, 

President, 

Pro, Lieut. Governor, 

Ditto, ditto, 

Ditto, ditto, 
Lieut. Governor, 
Administrator, 

Lieut. Governor, 
Administrator, 

Lieut. Governor, 

Ditto, 

Ditto, 
Administrator, 



Lieut. Governor, 
Governor General, 



Accession. 

July 8, 1792. 
July 21, 1796. 
August 17, 1799. 
Sept. 11, 1805. 
August 25, 1806. 
Sept. 30, 1808. 
October 20, 1812. 

June 19, 1813. 

Dec. 13, 1813. 

April 25, 1815. 

July 1, 1815. 
Sept. 25, 1815. 
June 11, 1817. 

August 13, 1818. 
March 8, 1820. 

June 30, 1820. 

Nov. 5, 1828. 

Jan. 25, 1836. 

Feb. 27, 1838. 



March 23, 1838. 
October, 1839. 



12 

Names. Titles. Accession. 

United Canada, Governor General, Feb. 10, 1840. 

Maj. Gen. Sir Richard Jackson, 

K.C.B., Administrator, Sept. 24, 1841. 

Right Hon. Sir Charles Bagot, 

G.C.B., Governor General, Jan. 7, 1842. 

Baron Metcalfe, Ditto, March 30, 1843. 

Rt. Hon. James, Earl of Elgin 

and Kincardine, K.C.B., Ditto, Jan. 31, 1847. 

As the events connected with the Revolutionary War, as well as 
that of 1812, are, doubtless, familiar to you, I have omitted any 
reference to them, especially as extended historical details would be 
foreign to the object I have in view, which is simply to enable you 
to comprehend at once the cause of the vast difference between the 
two Provinces, and to find a solution to many of the difficulties and 
dissensions which have agitated them, — their settlement having been 
effected by a race dissimilar in laws, language, and religion. When 
the two Provinces were re-united, their designation was changed 
from Upper and Lower Canada, to Canada East and Canada West. 
With the exception of Quebec and Montreal, which are the princi- 
pal shipping ports and commercial depots of the Lower Province, 
and have amongst their population many English, Irish, and Scottish 
merchants, and other persons connected with the trade and ship- 
ping interests of the Province and Great Britain, and the eastern 
townships, which the British American Land Company have been 
for some time engaged in settling with British emigrants, Canada 
East is inhabited principally by descendants of the old French set- 
tlers. Hence many of the laws and institutions of France are still 
in existence, the French language is generally spoken, and the 
Roman Catholic faith is predominant. The gross population in 
1848 was 780,000. fk^lf Irr fr-^r*-^- 

Panari^Wpq^ f n wrn >h j^offr inquirirT i li mn 11 [ i .n l i i ii l.nl} 1 ihTU) is 
settlecTprincipally by emigrants, and the descendants of emigrants, 
from England, Scotland, and Ireland. There are also many Ame- 
rican families scattered over the country. The English language is 
uniformly spoken ; and all the various denominations of Protestants 
are exerting their appropriate influence without let or hinder- 
ance. The laws of England are established ; and life and property 
are as secure as in any part of Great Britain. Ith e r eal sett lement 
6f-Caaad«-West cannot— be-^ onsidered as takin g place earlier than 
the close of the revolutionary war in 1783. ft that time not only 
a large body of troops were disbanded, but n/any of the inhabitants 



13 

of the United States, who had adhfered to Britain during this unfor- 
tunate contest, sought refuge withun her colonies. Many of this 
last class were in a state of great destitution, having abandoned all 
they possessed. The government, however, treated them with the 
greatest liberality, as a compensator for their losses and sufferings. 
These settlers were termed the Uni;ed Empire Loyalists ; and not 
only received an ample supply of larid, but farming utensils, build- 
ing materials, and provisions for two lears. Their families also, on 
attaining the age of twenty-one, were! entitled to a donation of 200 
acres of wild or uncleared land, wliich they generally obtained 
when applied for, according to the prescribed regulations. Those 
United Empire Loyalists and their descendants constitute a large 
portion of the inhabitants of Canada West, though probably not 
half-a dozen of the original settlers are now living. I have enjoyed 
much satisfaction from personal acquaintance and friendship with 
many of them ; and I have often been deeply interested while 
sharing the hospitality of several of tftose early veterans, settled 
along the shores of Ontario, and around the Bay of Quinte, in 
listening to a narrative of their early privations, suffis w'ugu, and t oils. / 
Th e popu latioJ3-aJ-ffi4srBp iud w as undci 10,OOoC VAccording to the^^/*" 
returns of 1848,'it^is 722,292, being nearly equal to Canada East. £*—J 
You will at once perceive how much more rapidly Canada West has 
improved than Canada East, the latter having been settled more 
than 300 years, and the former not more than seventy, p 
XThe eastern boundary of Canada West commences about, twenty 
miles above Montreal, extending in a line from the St. Lawrence 
due north to the Ottawa, and then along that river toAzake Temis- 
caming, stretching north to the mountainous border of the Hudson's 
Bay territory, which forms the northern limit. On the south, it is 
bounded by the^U'riim St. Lawrence, jK&ke Ontario, the Niagara 
JHver, and J£$ke Erie. Immediately opposite is the Stateyof New 
York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan. Trie western boundary 
is much more vague, but may be considered as extending to the 
head of Lake Superior, and thence to the Pacific Ocean. The 
present settled portion extends towards the west and south-west, as 
far as Lake Huron, the ^ver St. Clair, J&ko, St Clair, and the De- 
troit^iver. This vast tract of country, extending from its eastern 
to its western boundary^, a distance of more than 500 miles, and 
stretching from south to north a distance varying from fifty to 
eighty miles, is composed of a soil^ which, for productive richness, 
variety, and applicability to the highest purposes of agriculture, 






14 

may challenge competition with the choicest tracts of land on the 
continent of America. Canada is generally d es c ri bed a s -a—flat 
cewteiyL±JbxLtMr-Gmi--ttAy-iTd considered such by those who have 
travelled over a small port/on of it. Most persons iwho have writ- 
ten descriptions of the country, have only travelled Jalong the regu- 
lar stage-roads, (which are/ always carried over as much level ground 
as-posfrfe4er)- ai]d have see4 - vcry little of the int e rim uf the tuuuliy . 
The surface of the greater portion of the districts and townships 
through which I have travelled, is beautifully undulating or rolling ; 
and there are many portions of the country very hilly. A range of 
hills, that may almost be termed mountains, runs through the town- 
ships of Albion and Caledon, and on to^^Lake Huron, terminating 
in the Blue Mountains on the Georgian Bay 4 pne of these moun- 
tains is said to be about £000 feet above the level of the lake. There 
are also other ridges extending through several townships, many of 
them forming fine slopes and fertile valleys. By looking at the map 
of the country, and noticing the sources and the courses of the rivers, 
you will be able to form a tolerably correct judgment of the relative 
height of the land * jou will also perceive that there is a series of 
large lakes communicating with each other* these are unequalled by 
any inland sheets of water in the world, anil are entitled to the 
appellation of fresh-water seas, for they are not only of great extent, 
but are liable to be affected by storms like the ocean itself. The 
uppermost, callecUKake Superior, is 381 miles longhand 161 broad ; 
Huron, 218 miles long, and from sixty to 180 broad: Erie, 231 
miles longhand about sewnfy in breadth; Ontario, i^, 171 miles in 
lengthy and about sid»y in breadth. The waters of^E&ke Erie, 
on issuing from its lower extremity, form a river about half a mile 
wide, which in its course is precipitated over a precipice of 165 feet 
depth, thus forming the far famed Falls of Niagara. 



The following is a condensed s 



surveyed in the United Province, und the manner in which it has 



been disposed of, together with the 



unsurveyed, carefully selected from the Appendix to the First Report 
of the Board of Registration and Statistics, consisting of the Hon. 



Messrs Hincks, Viger, and Leslie, 
Crofton, and presented to the Provi 



The total number of surveyed acres in Lower Canada, according to 



Bouchette's last survey, was 18,811 
posed of, is made with reference to 



atement of the quantity of land 



estimated quantity still remaining 



and their Secretary, Mr W. C. 
icial Parliament at its last session. 



,040, but the return of lands dis- 
a previous survey, of 17,685,942 



acres, and is dated 1845. Of this quantity of land, 2,377,733 acres 



15 



have been set apart for Clergy Reserves. The Jesuits' Estates, now 
employed in promoting educatim in the United Provinces, and 
other lands disposed of for charitable purposes, amounts to 3,424,213 
acres ; and the grants en seignoure, and fee and common socage, to 
11,543,629 acres. The surveyed lands, therefore, four years ago, 
stood thus : — 



The Survey was 

Disposed of for public purposes, 

Grants to individuals, &c, 

So that there remained, 

From Canada West, the return is 
The whole survey was, 
Clergy Keserves, 
Grants, 



3,424,213 
11,343,629 


Acres. 
17,605,942 

14,767,843 


)ws for 1848 :— 


3,928,100 
15,982,006 



Set apart by the Provincial Parliament, 
for Common Schools, 



2,142,145 
12,242,088 

100,000 



14,484,983 



Leaving in the hands of Government, - 1,497,123 

The unsurveyed lands in Canada "West, are estimated at, 13,592,320 

Of this 9,119,260 acres are supposed to be of a sufficiently good 
quality for cultivation, and 4,472,96(1 acres bad land, unfit for cul- 

"\_ tivation. 1 

^\VThe soil of Canada West is of a very superior character, jts fertility 
however, is not so uniform as some have supposed; yet there is 
probably no tract of land of equal extent in the world > with which it 
may not be advantageously compared. It is not mountainous, nor, 
with very i"ew exceptions, is it rocky. Considerable tracts are light 
and sandy, but few so much so as to be absolutely barren* that which 
predominates consists of brown clay and loam, with different propor- 
tions of marl intermixed; in some sections it is more clayey, and 
extremely productive. The quality of the soil may almost invariably 
be ascertained by the quality of the timber or trees which grow upon 
it. A-s-tbis h as be<?n de n ied by one writer on Canada T mrvy further 
remark, thaY the statement now made is in harmony with the experience 
of the oldestVesidents, and best judges in the province, and is gene- 
rally relied on gw them as a test of the quality of\land ; nor have I 
ever found reasota to dissent from the general ofoinion, although I 
have travelled through most of the districts, and several of the town- 
ships, comprising thousands of cleared, and tens of thousands of un- 
cleared acres of land, and often tested its accuracy W personal ex- 
amination and experiment during the fifteen years I have been in the 



1 



16 



provinec . The best indication is afforded where the land is covered 
with hard wood, such as the maple, black walnut, hickory, beech, iron 
wood, birch and ash, with butternut, basswood^nd elm. Wherever 
there is found a large quantity of the sugar maple, with a slight mixture 
of beech and butternut, you invariably find land of the very first 
quality for all the various purposes of agriculture. Oak is uncertain, 
being often found on a good bottonvas well as that of a sandy de- 
scription} and yet, within the last few years, large portions of what 
are called oak plains have been settled upon, and, by proper treat- 
ment, they have yielded as much wheaUper acre^-as some of the very 
best farms in the country. When the land has on it a large portion 
of pine and hemlock, it is a sure indication of a very light or sandy 
soil. ^Should you determine to visit Canada WesJ^with a view to 
purchase land, you must not, under any circumstances, be induced to 
enter into any definite engagement until you have in person examin- 
ed the landjjiot only with regard to its quality, but to its local ad- 
vantages and disadvantages, as these very materially affect its relative 
value. Witketrinextending tlTese~ geneial desciiptive observations, it 
may better enable you to form a correct idea of this interesting country 
by presenting a brief description, in the order in which they lie from 
east to west. The province is divided into twenty districts, which 
are again subdivided into counties, ridings, and townships. The 
districts vary in size, as do also the townships ; the western district 
containing twenty-nine townships, and the Prince Edward district 
only six. Some to\wnships contain as many as 90,000 acres, and 
others not more than 20,000. Most of them are laid out in square 
blocks, and are divided into concessions which are generally supposed 
to run north and south, or east and west, but these vary very much 
according to circumstances. When a river runs through, or bounds a 
township, the front lots are generally laid out to face the river, no 
matter in what direcmon the river may lie. The concessions are 
again subdivided into J lots of 200 acres each, and half lots of 100 
acres. 

Most writers in describing Canada, have followed the example of 
Bouchette, in dividing it into three great portions, the Eastern, the 
Central, and the Western. While these general divisions may still 
be adhered to, yet it is obvious in a country like Canada, where 
population and improvement increases with a rapidity altogether un- 
known in older countries, most of the statistics given by earlier 
writers in reference to these divisions are now out of date. Several 
new townships have been settled, and new districts formed since Bou- 



17 

chette, Gourley, Martin, Ferguson, Murray, and others wrote. The 
eastern division, comprehends thefollowing districts, — the Eastern and 
Johnstown on the St Lawrence, the Ottawa, Dalhousie, and Bathurst, 
extending north and east to the Ottawa river, and west to the Mid- 
land district. This section comprises, according to the census of 
1848, a population of 148, 225, and 4*43,514 acres of cultivated 
land, and the assessed property amounted to £ 1,568,209* It is well 
watered, not only by the two great rivers, but by several important 
tributaries, remarkable for the multitude of their branches, and minor 
ramifications. There are a few good public roads, both along the 
great rivers which bound it, and in the interior ; and its centre is 
traversed diagonally by the Rideau canal, upon which the traffic for 
several years has been very great, but is now materially diminished 
in consequence of the completion of the St Lawrence canals, which 
furnish a cheaper and shorter route. The country through which it 
passes, bears in general a picturesque and romantic aspect, a very 
small portion of the land however is under cultivation, much of it 
bordering on the canal is poor and rocky; and of that fit for cultiva- 
tion, thousands of acres have been flooded by the damming of the 
rivers to form the canal, and immense quantities of timber have been 
consequently destroyed. Great numbers of trees are still standing 
dead, and surrounded by water, and give to those portions of the 
banks of the canal, a decayed, deserted, and gloomy appearance. 
This canal is 120 miles in length, and in some parts very circuitous. 
The difference of level between its extremities is 445. There are 
47 locks, each 142 feet long, by 33 feet in breadth ; many of these 
are very handsome, and their machinery of the most perfect descrip- 
tion. You will readily perceive, that this canal, together with the 
Ottawa river and its branches, affords a ready and easy communica- 
tion with the whole of the northern and central portion of this section 
of the province, either from Kingston or Montreal. A daily line 
has been completed this fall, by which passengers will be conveyed 
through from this latter city to Bytown in daylight, during the season 
of the navigation. A new and splendid boat called the Lady Simp- 
son, 145 feet keel, and 25 feet beam, with commodious state-rooms 
and saloons on deck, having been placed on the route lying between 
CarriHion and Lachien. 

Should you visit this part of the country you will find easy access 
by the above route, not only to L'Orignal, the district town of the 
Ottawa district, Bytown of the Dalhousie, and Perth of the Bathurst 
districts, but to several of the villages along the canal, the largest 

c 



18 

of which is Merricksville and Smith's Falls. The soil of those three 
districts on the whole is much inferior to the more western districts, 
and not as good as the two front districts which compose this section, 
Considerable tracts are either shallow or sandy ; some are marshy, 
and others are broken and rocky. The eastern and Johnstown dis- 
tricts are more pleasantly situated, extending along the St Lawrence 
for a distance of 120 miles. The natural scenery along the banks 
of this majestic river is not surpassed in picturesque beauty by any 
portion of the province, especially that portion of it, embraced 
within the two district towns, Cornwall and Brockville. This 
latter is considered one of the most pleasantly situated towns 
in Canada. The navigation of the river along the front of these 
districts, is now entirely unobstructed by the completion of the chain 
of canals which now connect Kingston and Montreal by a continuous 
communication, thus securing to this section, an easy and rapid inter- 
course with both these important commercial cities. 

There is a greater proportion of population, and of cultivated land, 
and a larger amount of assessed property in these districts, than in 
the other three ; and the relative value of improved farms and wild 
land is much greater. In the Ottawa, Dalhousie, and Bathurst 
districts, improved farms may be obtained from 10s, to £3, 
per acre ; and wild land from ten to twenty shillings per acre ; 
but in the Eastern and Johnstown districts, improved farms bring 
from £2, 10s, to £ 5, per acre, and wild land from £l, 10s, to £3, per 
acre. The Canada Company have a large quantity of land in this 
section of the province, varying in price, from two to fifteen shillings 
per acre, and the Crown lands, amounting to 677> 744 acres, are 
to be obtained at eight shillings, currency, per acre. The lumber 
trade has been carried on very extensively in this eastern section, 
for a number of years. 

It is not necessary, and it would be altogether aside from the object I 
have in view, to enter upon any lengthened observations, in reference to 
the adavntages or disadvantages arising out of its commercial relations 
to this province, or the parent state, or to discuss its bearings upon 
the moral condition of those more immediately engaged in the trade. 
One thing however, I may remark, is certain, that, in proportion as 
this business has commanded the attention, and enlisted the energies 
and capital of the settlers of any portion of the province, agricultural 
progress and improvement has been retarded or totally neglected. 
The following statement of the quantity of timber brought down the 



19 

Ottawa during the year 1844, with its estimated value, will afford 
you some idea of the extent of this trade : 

White Pine, 52,864 pieces, being 3,700,480 feet, at 6d., £ 92,512 

Red Pine, 92,864 pieces, being 3,529.212 feet, at 10d., - 147,050 10 

Oak and Elm, 160 pieces, being 5,440 feet, at 7d., - 158 13 4 

Saw Logs, 79,853, each, 4s. 2d., - ~ 16,636 10 



256,356 15 



The free timber, or that cut on private lands, may be esti- 
mated at about one third of the above, or - 85,399 7 2 



Making together - - £ 341,756 2 2 

By a glance at the map, in connexion with what I have said, 
you will readily perceive, that although this section labours under 
disadvantages from the comparative inferiority of its soil, and severity 
of its climate, yet it possesses the advantages of an easy and ready 
access to the best markets in the Province, where much of the farm 
and dairy that is comparatively valueless in the western section, can 
be readily turned into money. Should you visit either of these front 
districts, any of the townships can be readily reached by taking steam- 
boat at Montreal, and landing at Cornwall, Dickinson's landing, Pres- 
cott, or Brockville. 

The following tabular view of the population, property, quantity of 
land, &c, of this eastern division of Canada West, will close our 
remarks thereon : 

Popula- Assessed Mills Cultivated Crown 
Districts, tion in Property grist saw Land Lands for Crown Land Residence. 
1847. 1847. 1844. 1848. sale. Agents. 

Eastern 38,653 410,417 17 50 111,662 2,150 T. Hart Cornwall. 

Johnstown43 3 326 484,189 25 62 138,948 13,355 W. J. Scott Preseott. 

Ottawa 10,364 100,000 10 25 26,207 121,355 H.W.M'CannVancleeckhill. 

Dalhousie 25,474 255,000 5 16 59,632 60,684 John Dowie NewEdinburgh. 

Bathurst 30,400 318,603 21 43 107,065 480,200 A. Leslie Perth. 

The central portion embraces the Midland, Prince Edward, Vic- 
toria, Newcastle, Colborne, and Home districts, extending from the 
township line between Leeds and Pittsburgh, to the township of 
Trafalgar, a distance of I95 miles from east to west. It is bounded 
on the south by Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte, and stretches 
north to Lake Simcoe, Lake Gougichin, and the upper portion of 
the Ottawa. In 1835 it contained a population of 124,473, and its 
cultivated land amounted to 461,275 acres. Its present population 
is 265,034, its cultivated land 982,135 acres, and its assessed pro- 



20 

perty amounts to £2,987,571. This section contains a large portion 
of the very best land, and till within the last ten years, it had 
the greatest proportion of wealth and population, and the largest 
number of cultivated acres of land, but the tide of emigration has 
been flowing so rapidly to the west during the above named period, 
that this central section is now left somewhat in the rear. Having 
frequently travelled through almost every township embraced within 
its boundaries, and having among its population a large circle of ac- 
quaintances and intimate friends, I find it difficult to resist the temp- 
tation of an extended description of this important part of Canada 
West. It is not possible for me, however, to do justice to this or 
any other section of the Province, without extending these letters 
vastly beyond the limits I have prescribed to myself. This is one of 
the best, if not the best wheat growing portions of Canada, and many 
of its townships are celebrated for the production of this staple article 
of Canadian commerce. And having not less than 190 grist, and 
544 saw mills, together with several factories and flourishing villages, 
studding its numerous rivers and streams, you will perceive that it 
has within itself all the elements of wealth. In addition to its nume- 
rous local advantages, it possesses many others arising from its geo- 
graphical and commercial position. The city of Kingston, with its 
12,000 inhabitants, and its large and commodious store-houses and 
wharfs, and its scores of steam-boats and schooners, varying from 
50 to 330 tons burden, is situated at its eastern extremity. Toronto, 
the present capital of United Canada, with her population, amounting 
to 23,500, and her numerous facilities for extensive commercial en- 
terprise, is situated at the western extremity of this central division. 
Both of these cities furnish the best market in Canada for agricultural 
produce. There are also several flourishing towns scattered in va- 
rious directions through this section, among which is Picton, the 
district town of the Prince Edward District, Belleville, the district 
town of the Victoria District, Cobourg and Port-Hope, in the New- 
castle District, and Peterboco in the Colborne District. The whole 
of these, excepting the last, are beautifully situated on the shores 
of the Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario, and are accessible by 
steam-boats and schooners, consequently you can land at any of 
them. The price of improved farms and wild land, is far from being 
uniform. In the Midland, Prince Edward, and Victoria Districts, 
improved farms, with excellent buildings, may be obtained from 
£2, 10s, to £5, per acre, and wild land from ten to thirty 
shillings, per acre. In the Newcastle District, and front townships 



21 

of the Home District, improved farms are to be had from £4>, 
to £10, per acre, and wild land is valued at £3, per acre. In 
the back or northern townships, however, land is much cheaper, 
as it is also in the Colborne district. The Canada Company 
have several thousand acres of wild land in this section, which they 
are offering to sell from eight shillings and nine-pence, to fifteen shil- 
lings, per acre; there is also 1,154,521 acres of Crown land, which may 
be obtained of any of the agents, for eight shillings, currency, per acre. 
The Midland, Prince Edward, and Victoria districts, were originally 
settled by the United Empire Loyalists, and their descendants now 
form the largest portion of their population. The Newcastle and Col- 
borne districts, are settled chiefly with emigrants from Ireland. The 
population of the Home district is of a more mixed character. The 
public roads are somewhat better in this section than those in the 
eastern. An excellent Macadamized road extends from Kingston to 
Napanee, a distance of 24 miles. A good new gravel road has re- 
cently been constructed from Cobourg to Port-Hope and to Grafton. 
There is also a good road extending north from Cobourg to Rice 
Lake, and, with the exception of a plank road recently laid down from 
Belleville to Cannifs Mills, there is not another deserving the name 
of a good leading road, until you come to the Rouge River, over 
which an excellent bridge has at last been constructed. From this 
place to Toronto, a distance of sixteen miles, you have a good road, 
there are also other two good roads extending sixteen miles from the 
city, the one leading north to Richmond Hill, and the other west to 
Cooksville. Good leading roads into the interior of the northern or 
back townships are still however very much needed. If there is any 
one thing which indicates the absence of a spirit of entcrprize among 
the Canadians, it is the general palpable indifference to the necessity 
of good roads. The great majority of the roads throughout the Pro- 
vince, are next to impassable during the spring and fall of the year. 
The following is a list of the population, property, &c, in each 
district embraced within this section : — . 



Popula- Assessed Mills Cultivat- Crown Crown Land, 

tion. Property, grist saw. ed Land. Land. Agents. Residence. 

Midland 48,918 453,308 19 69 145,354 399,500 A. M'Pherson Kingston. 

Prince Ed. 18,061 299,22119 48 104,542 None ' J. P. Roblin Picton. 

Victoria 23,133 260,(i00 21 39 82,160 65,830 F. M'Annany Belleville. 

Newcastle 47,189 547,241 34 131 203,905 400,550 E. P. Smithe. Port-Hope. 

Colborne 21,379 400,000 15 20 81,360 264,928 F. Ferguson Peterboro. 

Home 106,354 1036,801 76 237 364,814 24,410 T. Bains Toronto, 



22 

The western section includes the nine following districts, viz. ;— 
Gore, Niagara, Talbot, London, and Western, constituting the front 
range, and the Simcoe, Wellington, Brock, and Huron, constituting 
the north range. This section of Canada West has been improving 
more rapidly during the last ten years than any other. In 1835, its 
population amounted to 124,628, and its cultivated acres of land to 
620,022. It has at present 1,122,177 acres of cultivated land. 
Its assessed property amounts to £3,329,192, and its population to 
304,675. This section is undoubtedly destined to be the most im- 
portant and densely settled portion of the Province. And as 
regards its situation, soil, and climate, it may be justly entitled to 
the designation frequently accorded to it, " The Garden of Canada." 
This extensive tract of country is almost enclosed by a successive 
chain of lakes and rivers. Its eastern boundary, commencing at 
the head of Lake Ontario, is continued by the Niagara River. On 
the south it is bounded by Lake Erie ; on the west by Detroit 
River, Lake, and River St Clair, and the south-east shores of Lake 
Huron, and stretches north to the Georgian Bay, and the River 
Severn. In whatever district, therefore, you might locate yourself, 
you would not be far from this grand and almost continuous line of 
water communication. 

Several fine rivers traverse the interior. The most considerable 
is the Thames, the principal branch taking its rise in the great 
swamp, north of the Huron district, passes through several town- 
ships, till it reaches Nisouri, where it is joined by a branch called 
the " Avon." At the town of London it is joined by the east 
branch. The united stream then continues its course through a 
fine country, until it reaches the town of Chatham, when it is joined 
by M'Gregor's Creek, and finally discharges itself into Lake St 
Clair. Near the handsome little village of Delaware, ihere is fine 
trout fishing ; and further down the river, large quantities of white 
fish, pike, pickerel, maskelonge, and sometimes sturgeon, are taken 
during the spring. Several hundred barrels of fish are annually 
cured in the neighbourhood of Chatham. This river is navigable 
for steam-boats and schooners to Louisville, a village nearly thirty 
miles from its mouth. Its average depth for this distance is sixteen 
feet, and its breadth from 200 to 300 feet. It passes through some 
of the finest country in Canada West ; and many portions of its 
banks present specimens of beautiful and picturesque scenery, un- 
surpassed in America. The banks on the upper portion are high 
and rolling, while below, for a distance of about thirty-five miles, 



23 

the land is mostly level and rich, forming some of the most fertile 
land in the western district. Many of the farms on this part of the 
river have been settled for fifty years, and are in a high state of 
cultivation, with fine orchards. There are large quantities of white 
oak and black walnut on the banks of the river ; and a considerable 
trade has for some years been carried on in staves and walnut lum- 
ber, being floated down the river, and shipped at Chatham, and sent 
to various ports. Handsome bridges have been erected within the 
last few years at Delaware, London, and Chatham. 

Next to the Thames in magnitude is the Grand River, or Ouse, 
which takes its rise in the township of Amaranth, in the Wellington 
district, and runs in a south-east course to the border of the town- 
ship of Woolwich, where it is joined by the Canastoga, a branch 
from the west. It then runs south through Waterloo, in the south- 
east of which it is joined by the River Speed, when it enters 
Brantford, and runs south to Lake Erie. Its course is very serpen- 
tine, sometimes making sudden bends to the east or west, and as 
suddenly curving back again in the opposite direction. It is navi- 
gable for large vessels as far as Dunnville, (five miles,) where the 
feeder of the Welland Canal enters it ; and for smaller boats to 
within a short distance of the town of Brantford, sixty miles above 
Dunnville, where a canal, three miles in length, and with three 
locks, to overcome an ascent in the river of thirty-eight feet, has 
been constructed, to enable vessels to reach the town. A large 
portion of the land on the banks of the river is well settled, and in 
a high state of cultivation. Splendid white oak is found in great 
quantities within a convenient distance from the river ; and a con- 
siderable business is carried on in square timber, sawed lumber, and 
staves. There are several grist and saw-mills, and other machinery, 
on the river; and several flourishing towns and villages adorn its 
banks. Gypsum, of excellent quality, has been found in large 
beds in the neighbourhood of the town of Paris, and other places 
adjacent to the river ; and is much used in agriculture, and is sent 
to various parts of the Province. The next in importance is the 
River Sydenham, or Bear Creek, which is divided into two branches. 
The east, or principal branch, takes its rise in the township of Lobo, 
or London, — runs through the south-east of Adelaide, the north-west 
of Mosa, and through Zone ; after which it runs nearly due west 
through the townships of Dawn and Sombra, till it reaches the 
Chenail Ecarte, or " Suy Carte," as it is commonly called, a branch 
of the River St Clair. The north branch takes its rise in the town- 



24 

ship of Warwick in the western district, and runs south-west across 
the townships of Enniskillen and Sombra, where it makes a bend, 
and runs due south, till it reaches the east branch, the two forming 
what is called the " Forks" of Bear Creek, which is about nine 
miles from the River St Clair. Some of the very best land in Ca- 
nada is situated in the townships bordering on this river. A few 
miles above the Forks, the land is rolling and heavily timbered, and 
the banks are higher ; but below the Forks there is a considerable 
extent of marsh and prairie : the locality is consequently subject to 
the prevalence of ague. Both branches are navigable for large ves- 
sels, — the east branch about nine miles, and the north about five 
miles above the Forks, the water ranging in depth from ten to 
twenty feet. There are several other rivers and streams scattered 
through the whole of this section, and although not navigable, are 
nevertheless important in affording numerous water privileges for 
machinery. 

The most magnificent and important water communication in this, 
or any other section of the Province, is the Welland Canal, con- 
structed to overcome the obstructions in the navigation between 
Lakes Erie and Ontario, caused by the Falls of Niagara. Its 
entrance from Lake Ontario is at Port Dalhousie, passing from 
thence through the centre of the townships of Grantham and Thor- 
ald, in the south of which it strikes the Welland River ; after leaving 
which, it divides, and one branch runs straight on to Lake Erie, 
while the other is carried to the Grand River. New and substantial 
locks of cut stone have been constructed, the work of which is equal 
to that of any public work in the world. The canal has been 
straightened in several places ; and from the increased size and 
capacity of the new locks, it is rendered navigable throughout for 
vessels of 450 tons burden. The original construction, repairs, 
and recent enlargement, has cost about £1,450,000. This may 
appear to you a large and extravagant outlay for a canal ; but when 
its important commercial advantages are properly estimated, it will 
generally be allowed that the money could not have been expended 
more profitably to the Province generally. You will be enabled to 
form some idea of its importance from the fact, that the tolls col- 
lected on the property which passed through it in 1844, (the last 
returns I am in possession of,) amounted to £ 25,573, 3s. lOd. 

It is scarcely necessary to say more in reference to this interesting 
section of Canada. I have been particular in describing these three 
great channels of water communication, because they pass through 



25 

the most luxuriant and fertile portions of the country ; and though 
minute surveys have discovered light and sandy tracts of consider- 
able extent, yet there is scarcely a spot on the globe which it may 
not rival. Its climate is more salubrious — its winters much shorter — 
its spring earlier, and its fruit more abundant than any other part of 
Canada. In addition to the 6419,355 acres of Crown land to be dis- 
posed of, in this section, at eight shillings currency, the Canada 
Company have several thousand acres, to lease or sell, from eight 
shillings and ninepence to thirty shillings, per acre. The annexed 
table will furnish you the amount of property and cultivated land — 
the number of the population, &a, for each district included in the 
western section. 

Culti- 
Districts Popula- Assessed Miils vated Crown Crown Land. 

tion. Property, grist, saw. Land. Land. Agents. Residence. 

Gore 57,377 892,613 50 130 229,255 2,400 Peter Carrol Hamilton. 

Niagara 47,664 583,760 46 83 162,104 None J. S. Cummings Chippawa. 

Talbot 15,716 270,598 10 59 92,843 None D. Campbell Simcoe. 

London 46,536 554,788 35 93 178,569 600 J. B. Askin London. 

Western 26,476 392,282 15 22 83,816 57,805 P. M'Mullen Sandwich. 

Simcoe 20,060 211,160 12 19 75,869 200,872 J. Alexander Barrie. 

Wellington 41,177 402,273 19 47 131,345 300,178 A. Geddes Elora. 

Brock 29,219 322,000 15 53 106,382 None John Carrol Zorra. 

Huron 20,450 182,718 8 21 61,894 86,500 John Clark Goderich. 

The following is a list of the districts, counties, and townships, 
placed in the order in which they have been presented in describing 
the respective sections of the Province : — 

EASTERN SECTION. 

Eastern District, 12 Townships — County of Stormount. — Cornwall, Finch, 
Osnabruck, Roxborough. County of Dundas. — Mountain, Matilda, Win- 
chester, Williamsburgh. County of Glengarry. — Charlottenburgh, Ken- 
yon, Lochiel, Lancaster. 

Johnstown District, 16 Townships— County of Leeds Bastard, Burgess, 

North Crosby, South Crosby, Elmsley, Kitley, Elizabethtown, Landsdown, 

Leeds, Young, Escott. County of Grenville Augusta, Edwardsburgh, 

South Gower, Oxford, Wolford. 

Ottawa District, 10 Townships— County of Prescott East Hawksbury, 

Caledonia, West Hawksbury, Alfred, Longueuil, Plantagenet. County of 
Russell.— Clarence, Cumberland, Cambridge, Russell. 

Bathurst District, 24 Townships — County of Lanark.- -Bathurst, Beck- 
with, Drummond, Dalhousie, Darling, North Elmsley, North Burgess, Le- 
vant, Lanark, Montague, North Sherbrooke, Kamsey, South Sherbrooke. 

D 



26 

County of Renfrew.— Adamston, Bagot, Broomly, Stafford, Westmeath, 
Blithfieldj Horton, Packenham, M'Nab, Pembroke, Ross. 

Dalhousie District, 10 Townships— County of Carlton.— Fitzroy, Gol- 
bourn, North Gower, Gloucester, Huntly, March, Marlborough, Nepean, 
Osgoode, Torbolton. 

CENTRAL SECTION. 

Midland District, 25 Townships — County of Frontenac. — Bedford, Barrie, 
Clarendon, Elgin, Hinchinbrooke, Kennebec, Kingston, Loughborough, Oso, 
Olden, Portland, Pittsburgh, Howe Island, Storrington, Palmerston, Wolfe 
Island. County of Lennox and Addington. — Adolphustown, Frederics- 
burgh, Fredericsburgh Additional, Richmond, Amherst Island, Camden, 
Earnestown, Sheffield, Kaladar, Anglesea. 

Victoria District, 12 Townships— County of Hastings. — Elzevier, Grinis- 
thorp, Lake Hungerford, Madoe, Marmora, Huntingdon, Rawden, Sydney, 
Tudor, Thurlow, Tyendinaga. 

Prince Edward District, 6 Townships — County of Prince Edward.— 
Athol, Ameliasburgh, Hilliar, Hallowell, Marysburgh, Sophiasburgh. 

Colborne District, 19 Townships — County of Peterboro. — Asphodel, Bel- 
mont, Burleigh, Bexley, Dummer, Douro, Ennismore, Emily, Eldon, Fen- 
Ion, Harvey, Methuen, Ops, Mariposa, Otonabee, Somerville, Smith, Veru- 
lam, Monaghan. 

Newcastle District, 14 Townships— County of Northumberland.— Aln- 
wick, Cramahe, Hamilton, Haldimand, South Monaghan, Murray, Percy, 
Seymour. County of Durham.— Clark, Cavan, Cartwright, Darlington, 
Hope, Manvers. 

Home District, 24 Townships— County of York— 4 Ridings.— North Rid- 
ing— Brock, North Gwillimbury, Georgina, East Gwillimbury, Mara, Reach, 
Rama, Scott, Thora, Uxbridge, Whitchurch. — South Riding — Etobicoke, 
King, Yaughan, York. — East Riding — Markham, Pickering, Scarborough, 
Whitby.— West Riding— Albion, Caledon, Climguacousy, Toronto, Toronto 
Gore. 

WESTERN SECTION. 

Gore District, 21 Townships— County of Went worth. — Ancaster, Brant- 
ford, Binbrooke, Barton, Glanford, Oneida, Onondago, Seneca, Rainham, 
Saltfleet, Tuscarora, Walpole. County of Halton.— Beverly, Esquesing, 
East Flamborough, West Flamborough, Nassagavvega, Nelson, Trafalgar, 
Dumfries, Erin. 

Talbot District, 9 Townships— County of Norfolk.— Charlotteville, Hough- 
ton, Middleton, Townsend, Woodhouse, Walsingham, Windham, Long 
Point, Ryerson's Island. 

Brock District, 12 Townships— County of Oxford.— Blanford, Blenheim, 
Burford, Dereham, Nissouri, North Oxford, East Oxford, West Oxford, 
Oakland, Norwich, East Zorra, West Zorra. 

Niagara District, 20 Townships— County of Lincoln — Caistor, Clinton, 
Gainsborough, Grantham, Grimsby, Louth, Niagara. County of Welland.— 



27 

Bertie, Crowland, Humberstone, Pelharn, Stamford, Thorald, Wainfleet, 
Willoughby. County of Haldimand. — Canborough, Cayuga, Dunn, Moul- 
ton, Sherbrooke. 

Western District, 29 Townships — County of Essex. — Anderdon, Col- 
chester, Gosfield, Maidstone, Mersea, Maldon, Rochester, Sandwich. 
County of Kent. — Bosanquet, Brooke, Camden, Chatham, Dawn, East 
Dover, West Dover, Enniskillen, Howard, Harwich, Moore, Orford, 
Plympton, Raleigh, Romney, Sarnia, Sombra, East Tilbury, West Tilbury, 
Warwick, Zone. 

Huron District, 21 Townships— County of Huron. — Ashfield, Bidulph, 
Blanchard, Colborne, Downie, Ellice, South Easthope, North Easthope, 
Fularton, Goderich, Hibbert, Hay, Hullet, Logon, M'Killop, M'Gilvary, 
Stephen, Stanley, Tuckersmith, Usborne, Wawanosh. 

Simcoe District, 24 Townships — County of Simcoe. — Adjala, Artemesia, 
Collingwood, Essa, Flos, West Gwillambury, Innisfil, Medonte, Matche- 
dash, Mulmer, Mono, Nottawasaga, Ospry, Oro, North Orrila, South Or- 
rila, St Vincent, Sunnidale, Tay, Tecumseth, Tosorontio, Tiny, Uphrasia, 
Vespra. 

Wellington District, 26 Townships— County of Waterloo. — Arthur, Ama- 
ranth, Bentick, Derby, Eramosa, Egremont, Garrafraxa, Glenelg, Guelph, 
Holland, Luther, Morrington, Minto, Maryborough, Melancthon, Norman- 
by, Nichol, Peel, Proton, Puslinch, Sydenham, Sullivan, Waterloo, Wil- 
mot, Woolwich, Wellesley. 

London District — County of Middlesex. — Adelaide, Aldborough, Bayham, 
Carradoe, Delaware, Dorchester, Dunwich, Ekfrid, Lobo, London, Met- 
calfe, Moso, Malahide, Southwold, Westminster, Williams, Yarmouth. 

The following is a List of the principal Cities and Towns, (most of 
which are corporate,) with the number of population, distance, &c, 
by the aid of which you will be enabled, together with the list of 
townships, to find any place in Canada in which you may have 
friends, or in which you may desire to settle. They are arranged 
in the order in which you will approach them should you land at 
Quebec. 

City of Quebec— Population 30,000. 
Steam-boats leave daily for Montreal, calling at Three Rivers and Sorel. 
Distance to Montreal 180 miles. — Emigrant Agent, A. C. Buchanan. 

City of Montreal— Population 50,000. 
Steam-boats leave daily for Laprairie. There is now a rail-road to La- 
chine. Cars leave all hours of the day. Distance nine miles ; and from 
Lachine steam-boats depart daily for Kingston, and by the Ottawa to By- 
town, calling at Carillon. — Emigrant Agent, T. Weatherly. 

Town of Cornwall— Population 1,454. 
The district town of the eastern district, pleasantly situated on the banks 



28 

of the St Lawrence, eighty-two miles west from Montreal. Steam-boats call 
here on their way to Kingston. 

Town of Bytown — Population 6,284. 

The district town of the Dalhousie district, situated on the Ottawa River, 
at the entrance of the Rideau Canal, 120 miles east of Kingston. 

Town of Prescott — Population 2,300. 

The county town of the county of Grenville, situated on a beautiful rising 
ground on the banks of the St Lawrence, sixty-eight miles east from Kings- 
ton, and immediately opposite the town of Ogdensburgh, in the State of 
New York. A steam-ferry crosses every half-hour. The river is about a 
mile and quarter wide. Steam-boats call daily. 

Town of Brockville — Population 2,449. 

The district town of the Johnstown district. This is the most beautiful 
town on the banks of the St Lawrence, fifty-six miles east of Kingston. 
Most of the houses and public buildings are constructed of stone, with cut 
stone fronts. Steam-boats call every day on their way to and from Montreal. 

City of Kingston — Population, 12,118. 

Is advantageously situated on the north bank of an excellent bay, forming 
a junction of the St Lawrence with Lake Ontario, 199 miles west from 
Montreal, and 177 east from Toronto. It has the most splendid market 
building in America, and, next to Quebec, the strongest fort. Splendid 
steam-boats leave daily for all the various ports on river, bay, and lake. — 
A. B. Hawke, Emigrant Agent. 

Town of Belleville— Population 2,985. 

The district town of the Victoria district, situated on the north bank of 
the Bay of Quinte, fifty miles west from Kingston. This is a bustling thriv- 
ing little town. Steam -boats call daily. 

Town of Picton— Population 1,599. 

The district town of the Prince Edward district, pleasantly situated at 
the south-west extremity of the Bay of Quinte. It is a flourishing little 
town. Steam-boats call daily on their way from Kingston to the Trent. 

Town of Cobourg — Population 3,513. 

The district town of the Newcastle district. This is one of the most 
clean, healthy, and pleasantly situated towns in Canada. It is built on a 
beautiful slope on the bank of Lake Ontario, 105 miles from Kingston, and 
seventy-two miles from Toronto. Victoria College, belonging to the Wes- 
leyan Methodists, is located here ; and the beautiful building can be dis- 
tinctly seen from the lake. Steam-boats to and from Toronto to Kingston, 
and Rochester, in the State of New York, call daily. 



29 

Town of Port Hope— Population 1,812. 
Situated on a high bank on the north shore of Lake Ontario, seven miles 
west from Cobourg. It has a fine commanding view of the lake ; and the 
scenery is on the whole very picturesque. A large stream flows through its 
centre to the lake, at the mouth of which is a large basin, forming the best 
natural harbour on the shores of the lake. Steam-boats call daily. Sixty- 
three miles east from Toronto. 

City of Toronto— Population 23,505. 
The present capital of Canada is pleasantly situated on a bay of Lake 
Ontario. The churches ; the new city- hall ; the banks ; the lunatic asylum ; 
the post-oflice, Osgood Hall, and other public buildings, are equal to any in 
England. Its progress has been most rapid. In 1830, its population 
amounted to 2,860. Steam-boats leave almost every hour of the day for 
Niagara, Hamilton, Rochester, and Kingston. Stages leave daily for the 
interior. Here every kind of information you can possibly need is to be 
obtained.— D. R. Bradley is Emigrant Agent. 

Town of Niagara— Population 3,100. 
This is an old town, pleasantly situated at the entrance of the Niagara 
River, seven miles below Queenston, and fourteen below the " Falls." 
There is considerable ship-building carried on here by the Harbour and 
Dock Company, who usually employ about 150 hands, and have built several 
splendid steam- boats. There is a railroad from Queenston to the Falls ; and 
cars run daily. Steam-boats leave Toronto for Queenston daily. . 

City of Hamilton— Population 9,899. 
Is situated at the western extremity of Burlington Bay, forty-five miles 
west from Toronto. Besides the daily steam- boats, stages leave every day 
for London, Port-Stanley, Detroit, Port-Dover, Gait, Guelph, Niagara, St 
Catharines, and three times a-week for Goderich. So rapidly is this city 
rivaling her sister city, to the east, in commerce and wealth, as justly to 
entitle her to the designation she often receives, " Queen of the West." 

Town of Dundas — Population 2,240. 
A flourishing manufacturing town, five miles from Hamilton, with which 
it is connected by means of the Desjardins Canal, and good stage roads. 

Town of St Catharines— Population 3,500. 
A handsome stirring town, beautifully situated on the Welland Canal, 
thirty-six miles south from Hamilton, and twelve miles north from Niagara. 
Stages pass through the town daily, during winter, from Hamilton to 
Queenston, Niagara, and Fort Erie, opposite Buffalo. In summer to Chip- 
pewa and Niagara, meeting the boats. 

Town of London — Population 4,573. 
The district town of the London district. It is finely situated, in the 
heart of a beautiful country, at the junction of the two branches of the 



30 

River Thames. It is eighty-five miles west from Hamilton, sixty miles east 
from Port-Sarnia, sixty miles south from Gcderich, and twenty-six north 
from Port Stanley, from which there is a good plank road. Excellent 
roads stretch away in every direction. Stages leave daily for Hamilton, 
Chatham, and Detroit ; three times a- week for Port -Stanley and Sarnia, 
and twice a-week for Goderich. 

Town of Brantford — Population 3,000. 
A pleasant town, situated on the Grand River, twenty-three miles from 
Hamilton. The western road runs through this town ; and it is accessible 
by water communication from Dunnville. 

Town of Woodstock — Population 1,200. 
The district town of the Brock district ; is pleasantly situated in the 
midst of a fine rolling country, forty-six miles from Hamilton, and thirty- 
two miles from London. 

Town of Chatham — Population 1,500. 
The county town of the county of Kent, pleasantly and advantageously 
situated on the banks of the Thames, at its junction with M'Gregor's Creek. 
Good stages leave daily for the east and west. Steamers leave every other 
day for Detroit and Amherstburgh. 

Town of Amherstburgh — Population 1,000. 
A garrison town, beautifully situated at the south-west extremity of the 
Province, on the banks of the Detroit River. Fort-Maiden is about half-a- 
mile above the town. The Canadian and American boats call here to and 
from the various ports along the river and lakes. 

Town of Sandwich — Population 500. 
The district town of the Western district, beautifully situated on the 
banks of the Detroit River, about two miles south-east of Detroit, and nine 
miles south from Lake St Clair. This is an old settlement ; and with its 
orchards and well kept flower gardens, it has the appearance of an English 
country town. Steamers call regularly. 

Town of Goderich — Population 700. 
The district town of the Huron district, handsomely situated on the 
banks of Lake Huron, about 100 feet above the level of the lake. It is 105 
miles from Hamilton, by way of Preston and Stratford, through the Huron 
district, and 145 by way of London, and through the London district. 
Stages leave Preston three times a-week, and London twice a-week, for 
Goderich. 

Town of Peterborough — Population 2,000. 
Is the district town of the Colborne district, beautifully situated on the 
banks of the Otonabee River, thirty miles north from Port-Hope, and thirty- 
four from Cobourg. Stages every day from these places. Diiriu^ the sum- 



31 

mer, the steamer " Forester" leaves the town every day for Rice Lake,, 
where it is met by the stages from Port-Hope and Cobourg. 

Town of Perth— Population 2,000. 

Is the district town of the Bathurst district, seven miles from the Rideau 
Canal, forty from Brockville, and seventy from Kingston. The River Tay 
runs through the town, and is made navigable from the town to the Rideau. 
It can therefore be easily reached from Kingston, by way of the canal, or 
from Brockville, by the main road, leading from thence to Perth. 

In bringing this Letter to a close, it may be as appropriate to 
give you, in this, as in any future letter, a brief outline of the va- 
rious routes through this magnificent portion of British North Ame- 
rica. Should you come by way of Quebec, you will find a con- 
tinuous line of steamers from that city to Montreal, and interme- 
diate places, 180 miles; and between Montreal and Kingston, and 
intermediate places, 198 miles ; between Kingston, Bytown, and 
intermediate places, 120 miles on the Rideau Canal, on which 
steamers ply four times a-week ; and between Montreal and By- 
town, and intermediate places, 120 miles, on the Ottawa River, 
there is a daily communication by steam-boat — the distance of nine 
miles, from Montreal to Lachine, being performed by railroad. 
There is also daily communication, by stages and steam-boats, be- 
tween Bytown and Portage du Fort, on the Ottawa, about sixty 
miles. These routes are thoroughfares for travellers ; and it will be 
observed, that they are all so arranged, that parties can not only 
travel through to Lake Ontario — the River St Lawrence — the Rideau 
Canal, and the Ottawa, at a moderate expense, but also pass, from 
one to the other of these, with the greatest comfort and expedition, 
viewing the whole of the country and scenery traversed by them. 

As the result of the recent construction of the St Lawrence 
Canal, and enlargement of the Welland Canal, steam propellers 
now load at Quebec, and proceed to Chicago direct, or to any port 
on Lake Ontario, Erie, Huron, and Michigan, with far greater ease, 
and less risk, than is usually encountered between Leith and Lon- 
don, or Glasgow and Liverpool ; thus affording increased facilities 
for the transmission of merchandize, and the cheapest and most 
direct route for emigrants destined for the western parts of America. 
From Kingston you will find a daily line to Toronto, calling at Co- 
bourg, Port-Hope, and other intermediate places — 177 miles; also 
from Kingston to Oswego, about 64 miles ; and by way of the Bay 
of Quinte to Belleville, Picton, and intermediate ports, 50 miles. 



32 

On the United States side of Lake Ontario, there is a daily line 
from Ogdensburgh to Lewiston, calling at Rochester, Oswego, 
(Kingston, Canada,) and Sacket's Harbour — 228 miles ; from Lewis- 
ton to Toronto — 43 miles. 

Should you come by way of Boston, or New York, you will find, 
at the former, a railroad to Albany, the cars leaving daily — distance 
200 miles. From the latter, you will find a daily line of splendid 
steamers for Albany — distance 145 miles. As there are three 
routes from Albany to Canada, you can take your choice. The 
first is by railroad from Albany to Syracuse — 147 miles ; from Sy- 
racuse to Oswego — 35 miles ; from Oswego to Kingston, by steam- 
boat, 64 miles; or to Toronto — 140 miles. Total distance from 
Albany to Toronto, 322 miles; from New York 469. The second 
is by railroad to Lewiston, passing through Utica, Syracuse, Aburn, 
Rochester, and Buffalo. From Albany to Lewiston, the distance is 
356 miles ; and from Lewiston to Toronto, by steam-boat, 43 miles, 
making a total of 399 miles ; from New York, 546. The third is 
by railroad, direct from Albany to Rochester — 251 miles; and 
from Rochester to Toronto, by steam-boat, ninety-five miles ; mak- 
ing the whole distance, from Albany to Toronto, by this route, 346 
miles ; and from New York, 493 miles. These figures will show 
you, that the Oswego route is seventy-seven miles less than that by 
Lewiston, and twenty-four miles shorter than that by Rochester 
direct ; and the Rochester route to be fifty-three miles shorter than 
that by Lewiston. If Cobourg should be the place at which you 
wish to land, the following will be the distances : — from New York 
to Albany, 147; from Albany to Rochester, 251; from Rochester 
to Cobourg, sixty-nine miles ; making the total distance 467 miles. 
The journey occupies two days ; and at the cheapest rate you can 
travel, will cost £2, 10s. From Toronto you will find convey- 
ance to all parts of the Province. 

On what is called the northern route, travellers proceed in coaches, 
along the Macadamized road, to Lake Simcoe, which they cross by 
steam-boat ; and having passed the portage of fourteen miles, from 
Lake Simcoe to Sturgeon Bay, on Lake Huron, (which is done in 
coaches,) they again take steam-boat, which brings them through 
Lake Huron to the Sault St Marie, at the foot of Lake Superior, 
the distance from Toronto to the Sault, by this route, being only 
469 miles. On Lake Eiie there are daily steam-boat communica- 
tions to all points. From Chippawa, in Canada, to Buffalo, in the 
State of New York, eighteen miles ; from Buffalo to Cleaveland, 



33 

191 miles ; Cleaveland to Detroit, 136 miles; from Detroit to Port- 
Sarnia, in Canada, seventy-two miles ; from Sarnia to Milvvaukie, 
524s miles ; from Milvvaukie to Chicago, ninety miles. Total from 
Buffalo to Chicago, in Illinois, 1,013 miles; and the total distance 
from New York to Chicago is 1,485 miles. The total distance 
from New York to the Sault St Marie, via Oswega, Toronto, and 
Penetenguishene, is 938 miles. Total distance from Quebec to 
Toronto, 555 miles. 

It would be useless to present a scale of fares, or charges, on the 
various routes, as they differ almost every season. Emigrants 
should, if possible, provide themselves with means to bring them to 
their destination. 



LETTER II. 

Climate — Natural Productions— Trees — Fruit — Flowers— Wild Beasts — 
Birds— Fish — Minerals— Mineral Springs — Mining. 

" In November, thick fogs and snow storms betoken that winter has 
set in." — Butlers Guide to Canada, page 23. 

" Let those, on the look-out, be cautious of the swamps of Texas, or 
the long winters of Canada." — Howitt's Journal. 

" The farmer is condemned, during one season, to unwelcome indo- 
lence." — Murray's British America. 

e< Winter commences in November, when thick fogs and snow storms 
are frequent." — Chambers' Information for the People. 

te Winter, in Canada, is a season of joy and pleasure ; the cares of 
business are laid aside ; and all classes and ranks indulge in a general 
carnival." — Montgomery Martin. 

" Winter is by far the pleasantest season, for then every body is 
idle." — Backwoodsman. 

You ask the question, " Are these and similar representations 
correct f" This may be considered a very important question, since so 
much ignorance and misrepresentation prevails upon the subject. 
If these and similar representations were correct — if, for six months 
of the year, the Canadians are afraid to stir out of doors, without 
being wrapped up to the eyebrows in furs or woollens, and not even 

E 



34 

then without the risk of being frozen to death, or lost in mountains of 
snow— if, during this long period, every body is idle, and all ranks 
and classes are indulging in a general carnival, then the caution, to 
which you are exhorted, becomes absolutely necessary. The ques- 
tion indeed becomes a very grave one with the farmer, the artizan, or 
the labourer — whether, in emigrating to a country, where, for six 
months of every year, he will be doomed to unwelcome indolence, he 
can possibly improve his circumstances, or better his condition. And 
it is not a matter of surprise, while such misrepresentations are 
credited, that you and others prefer a more genial climate, though it 
has to be secured in a much more distant and doubtful field of enter- 
prize. I can assure you, however, that a residence of fifteen years in 
Canada enables me to say, without the fear of successful contradic- 
tion, that the above, and similar statements, if not absolutely false, are 
nevertheless most extravagantly coloured representations. In order 
to correct, as far as possible, the prevailing misapprehensions, and con- 
vey to you a definite idea of the climate of this interesting country, it 
may be necessary to present some facts and remarks, the result of 
close and constant personal observation and experience. The subject 
may be considered as presenting itself under three special aspects. — 
1st, The length and severity of the winter. 2d, The general suspension 
of business, and consequent prevalent indolence. 3d, The intensity of 
the heat in summer. 

Taking the question up in the above order, I remark, that the 
length and severity of the winter is not so great as is generally sup- 
posed ; and it is no uncommon thing to find persons, after they have 
been two or three years in the country, expressing surprise that the 
climate is so different to what they had expected, and to what it had 
been represented. Emigrants from Great Britain find but little diffe- 
rence between the climate of Canada, and that which they have left, 
except the former is much drier — much more so, indeed, than any 
would be led to expect, considering the immense bodies of water dis- 
tributed over it, and by which it is surrounded. From the greater 
dryness of the climate, persons suffer far less from coughs and colds 
than they do in England ; and many persons frequently expose them- 
selves to the weather with impunity, in a manner that, in any part of 
Great Britain, would be fraught with great danger. It matters little 
how low the thermometer may be, if there is no wind. A person 
taking exercise does not feel the cold penetrating his system, and 
affecting him as disagreeably, though the mercury may be down to 
twenty-six degrees below zero, as the raw damp north-east winds of 
December do in England. I arrived at Glasgow in October, 1849, 



35 

and spent about ten days in that city, and the remainder of the 
month, together with November and December, in the north of Eng- 
land ; and I can assure you, that, in no one single year, during my 
residence in Canada, have I ever found a season half so disagreeable. 
Indeed, I have been compelled, during some portions of it, to clothe 
myself much more heavily than I should have done had I been in 
Canada ; and I am certain, that, if you are ever brought personally to 
experience the difference, you will prefer the keen air of a thorough 
January poser in Canada, enlivened by the exhilarating elasticity of its 
bright atmosphere, and the cheerful accompaniment of the merry 
sleigh bells, to the chilling blasts of a north-east storm, with its alter- 
nate rain and hail, or sleet and snow, and the cheerless accompaniement 
of its doleful moan, during the dark and gloomy days of December in 
England. 

I have resided for the last seven years in the central section of 
Canada, and, in no single instance, during that time, has the snow 
fallen, or the winter really set in earlier than the last week of Decem- 
ber or the beginning of January, and it has generally broken up in the 
middle of March. The real winter cannot, therefore, be considered 
as continuing longer than three months. As to " frequent fogs in No- 
vember," I can only say, I have never seen them in any part of Canada 
in which I have resided. Indeed, the prevalence of foggy weather at 
any season of the year is unknown. That fogs have occasionally been 
seen, is not disputed or denied, but they are by no means frequent. 
In conversing with many persons since my return to England, I find 
the notion very prevalent, that the great lakes, or fresh-water seas are 
frozen over in winter, which is entirely a mistake. Lake Erie alone, 
which is very shallow, is said to have been frozen over two or three 
times within the last forty years ; which, however, is very doubtful ; 
and even the smaller lakes and bays distributed over the Midland, 
Newcastle, and Colborne districts, are seldom or never frozen over 
hard enough to bear a man with any heavy burden before Christmas, 
and they are generally open again before the middle of April. In- 
stances, indeed, are not rare of persons being drowned by venturing on 
the ice before it is strong enough. The earth is seldom frozen to a 
greater depth than from twelve to eighteen inches, and the snow, on 
an average, does not lie deeper than from eighteen inches to two feet. 
The length of the winter and the depth of the snow differ very much 
according to the latitude of the locality. Hence, in the central section 
of Canada West, there is at least one month less winter than in Que- 
bec ; and in the western section there is a fortnight or three weeks less 
winter than in Toronto. There is also a similar difference between 



36 

the south or front range of townships, and the north or back range ; 
and this fact may account for the apparent conflicting statements made 
by persons writing to their friends in Great Britain. 

There are some singularities with respect to the climate of Canada, 
one is, that the weather generally changes after three days of severe 
intense cold, and is succeeded by several days of moderate weather, 
and sometimes by a thaw, the heaviest taking place in January, and is 
called from its regular periodical appearance, the January thaw ; after 
which there is generally a fresh fall of snow, and the sleighing con- 
tinues good until the end of February or the beginning of March, when 
it breaks up altogether. 

In some sections of Canada West, the occurence of winters with 
scarcely any snow at ail is not now unfrequent, and such seasons are 
generally found to be injurious to the fall crops of wheat, and are, be- 
sides, considered by the inhabitants to be a great misfortune, as they 
are found in many places to be a serious hinderance, not to the indul- 
gence of general indolence, but to business and travelling, the winter 
being the principal season for travelling on the roads, when the snow 
being well beaten, tbe worst roads in the Province .become equal to a 
railroad. Another peculiarity is, the almost certain periodical occur- 
rence in November, of what is usually termed the Indian summer. A 
delightful warmth is then felt through the air, while a thin beautiful 
haze surrounds the sun, and appears to cover the whole face of na- 
ture, continuing from three to ten days. It seems difficult to account 
for the existence of this phenomenon on any rational principles. Some 
have supposed that it is produced by the smoke of the prairies of the 
west, fired by the Indians. There is some plausibility in this opinion, 
when the vast and almost illimitable extent of the prairies, with their 
luxuriant growth of grass, scorched and prepared by the burning rays 
of the summer's sun are considered, together with the fact, that im- 
mense fallows of log and bush are also fired at this season in Canada. 
Others have supposed that the immense waters by which" the country 
is surrounded, are undergoing a process of conversion from a fluid into 
a solid form ; in the course of which they must necessarily give out in 
large quantities the coloric which held them in a state of fluidity. And 
that heat thus developed will naturally be accompanied with their 
mist, such as is usually seen rising from the surface of a newly frozen 
stream. Any one, however, who has had frequent opportunities of 
witnessing the absence of analogy as far as external developement or 
appearance is concerned, will be satisfied that this latter opinion is not 
more rational than the former. 

In answering your question, Has the climate undergone any sensible 



37 

change during my residence in the country? I. have to remark, that 
although it is in my humble opinion doubtful, whether a change of 
the climate to any great extent would be of advantage to the country, 
or even desired by its inhabitants, yet it is not merely a matter of opi- 
nion, but an established fact, that Canada has, during the last fifteen 
years, relaxed much of its former rigour, and is in a state of continued 
mitigation. 

Since thousands of acres of its forests have been cleared, its swamps 
drained, its settlements formed, and its towns and villages sprung up, 
the snow has fallen in smaller quantities, and dissolved sooner, — the 
severe frosts have been less frequent, the inland navigation continued 
longer in the fall, and commenced earlier in the spring, and the entire 
winter much shorter. The following extract taken from the " British 
Whig," edited by Dr Barker, and published in the City of Kingston, 
will confirm the statement I have made, it is headed, " Change of 
Climate." — " That a gradual but very perceptible change is yearly 
taking place in the climate of Upper Canada, must be apparent to all 
who notice such things. This is the 16th day of November. Not 
only is the day as mild and as warm as the same day would be in Eng- 
land, but, up to the present hour, not the slightest approach of winter 
has been visible. All the steam-boats are in full motion, all the canals 
are open, and there is no talk of the former stopping, or the latter 
shutting up. Only twenty years ago, the 16th November was in the 
midst of a Canadian winter. No steam-boat presumed to run after the 
first of the month, seldom, indeed, after the 20th of October, and win- 
ter vehicles were in constant run upon the roads. At that time, the 
Rideau Canal was about being finished, and among other arguments of 
its expected usefulness, it was stated, " that a water communication 
would be kept open between the Ottawa and the St Lawrence until 
November. Now-a-days a full month might be added to the prognos- 
tication. This gradual change in the climate of Canada is an important 
fact, deserving of better notice than we have given it." 

As it regards the general suspension of business, I have to inform 
you, that, with the exception of those engaged in the transit trade dur- 
ing the season of navigation, together with stone-cutters and bricklayers, 
winter is the season in which the great majority of the inhabitants are 
busily employed. The merchant disposes of more goods at this than 
any other season of the year. Thousands of lumbermen are engaged 
in preparing and getting out of the dense forests timber for the Que- 
bec market. Farmers are actively engaged in thrashing out their grain, 
and bringing it and other productions of the farm to market, in getting 
out saw-logs for the numerous saw-mills scattered through the country, 



38 

or timber for their buildings, in drawing rails to fence their farms, or 
firewood to last them until the next winter. 

The new settler is busily employed in clearing his land by chopping 
down the tree3 standing on it like regiments of soldiers. The only 
obstacle in the way of successfully conducting these out-of-door ope- 
rations, is not the severity of the cold, but the depth of the snow. 
Then, as to the heat of summer, it is not so intense as some suppose; 
and after a residence of a year or two, you would not find it disagree- 
able. Warm weather generally sets in as soon as the snow disappears, 
and vegetation is exceedingly rapid, so much so, that although the 
spring is about a month later than in England, yet, by the end of 
June, vegetation of all kinds is as far advanced as in the latter country. 
It occasionally happens that frost occurs as late as June, which do great 
injury to fruit ; they are, however, of rare occurrence, and the farmer 
can always reckon upon fine weather for his harvest, as there is much 
less rain than in England ; and it generally falls at more regular periods. 
Wheat, on an average, is ready for cutting three weeks earlier than in 
England ; and the grain, when once ripe, dries so fast, that it is not 
unusual for it to be cut and carried in on the same day. Great and 
sudden transitions from heat to cold are often experienced, and are 
supposed to be produced by changes of the wind, occasioning a rapid 
transition from the one to the other of those extremes to which the 
whole Continent is liable. These sudden changes have the effect of 
rendering every kind of atmosperic agitation, and more especially thun- 
der and lightning, peculiarly violent. The climate upon the whole is 
salubrious, much more so than many of the western States; and as a 
set-off to that never-ending and ever- fruitful theme of fever and ague, 
it may be interesting to you to be informed, that cases have come un- 
der my own personal observation of individuals labouring under the 
effects of that malady coming from the State of Michigan to Canada, 
in order to restore their health. It is true that such diseases exist, 
but are by no means so prevalent or fatal as is supposed. 

The following Government Meteorological Observations made at 
Toronto for the year 1840 to 184*7, will, doubtless, be interesting to 
you: — 



Greatest degree of Heat. 


Lowest degree of Cold. 




Heat. 


Cold. 


1840, 


+82.4 


18.6 


1844, 


+86.8 


7.2 


1841. 


+93. 1 


6.7 


1845, 


+95 


4.2 


1842, 


+91 


1.9 


1846, 


+94.6 


16.7 


1843, 


+89 


9.4 


1847, 


+87 


2.9 



These are the extreme ranges of cold and heat, indicated at the Ob- 



39 

servatory on one day during the season, but which do not last beyond 
a few hours ; the mean temperature of the four months of summer and 
three of winter, for those last eight years, have been respectively, — - 
62°5, winter 26°7 Farenbeit. The same official records show, that in 
the last eight years, 1840 to 1847, there was 770 days on which there 
was rain, 400 days on which there was snow, and 1752 perfectly dry 
days ; showing an yearly average of 96 J rainy days, of fifty snowy days, 
and 219 perfectly dry days, wherein there was neither snow nor rain. 
It is necessary further to remark, that if a particle of snow or rain falls 
during the twenty -four hours, the day is respectively considered at the 
Observatory as a rainy or snowy day. 

In closing my remarks upon the climate, it may be satisfactory to 
you to have some information upon the natural productions of the 
country. Amongst the monarchs of the forest may be found, white 
and red pine, white and black oak ; large quantities of the white oak are 
split up into staves for the manufacture of puncheons, hogsheads, and 
barrels, for the supply of the English and West Indian markets. There 
are several kinds of ash; white ash, swamp ash, black or prickly ash, 
some of which is very handsome, and is used for making furniture ; 
black and white birch, with the bark of the latter, of which the Indiana 
make their light and beautiful canoes ; beach, elm, hickory ; sugar 
maple, from the sap of which immense quantities of excellent sugar is 
made every year. Some families making during the season from their 
sugar bush (as it is called), consisting of 190 to 200 trees, from 100 
to 1000 ponnds of sugar. The beautiful bird's-eye or curled maple, 
butternut, and black walnut are abundant, and are much used in cabinet 
work, the latter especially furnishes the most beautiful wood for that 
purpose grown on the continent of America; it is much used for the 
best kind of furniture, and, from its rich vein and colour, is far more 
beautiful in appearance than the finest specimens of rosewood. The 
basswood or lime tree ; on rich and moist ground, the white sycamore 
and buttonwood tree ; in the marshes, spotted alder, willow, and va- 
rieties of thorn ; and in the swamps, black ash, tamarak, hemlock, and 
red and white cedar, the latter being principally used for rails, for 
fences, as it is considered the most durable. The cherry laurel is also 
very abundant, and is much used for furniture. Of shrubs there are 
many varieties ; amongst which are the sumach and the leatherwood 
tree. The wild fruits of the country are very abundant, among which 
may be mentioned the wild cherry, grapes, black and red currents ; 
several kinds of gooseberries, most of which are covered with prickles, 
and are only fit for use when young ; black and red rasp-berries ; cran- 
berries and straw- berries, which grow in great abundance in certain loca- 



40 

lities, and are equal to the English wild straw-berry. Besides these, there 
are black- berries, hazel nuts, butter-nuts, wild plums, and many other kinds 
of wild fruit. From the warmth of the seasons, many fruits that can only 
be raised under glass in England, are grown in the greatest perfection 
in the open ground. In the south-west portions of the Province, fruit 
grows in such abundance, that peaches have been sold in the western 
district, on the shores of Lake Erie, at one shilling and threepence per 
bushel, and apples are frequently sold on the Thames, for sevenpence 
half-penny per bushel. Pears, plums, cherries, and all the various de- 
scriptions of cultivated fruits, grow in rich abundance. Pumpkins, 
squashes, and all the varieties of the melon, grow in the open fields and 
gardens to an enormous size. All the vegetable productions of Eng- 
land flourish, under proper cultivation. Canada is probably as favour- 
able a climate for the cultivation of fruit and vegetables as any in the 
world. The great chain of lakes and rivers is most beneficial in ame- 
liorating the climate, and there is probably no part of the country, even 
the most inhospitable, where apples would not be found to grow, if 
not other fruits ; and the banks of the St Lawrence and lakes, from 
Quebec to the northern extremities of Lake Huron, are well adapted 
for raising nearly all kinds of hardy fruits, and in many localities, any 
kind can be grown to perfection. 

The flowers are almost innumerable, early in the summer the 
woods are literally clothed with them ; amongst which will be found 
many beautiful varieties which are cultivated in the English gardens, 
such as the scarlet lobelia, blue lupin, purple gentian, columbine, vio- 
lets (without scent), fleur-de-lis, the beautiful white water lily, scarlet 
and other honey suckles, wild rose (rosa canina), dogwood, diosma 
crenata, sweet-briar, campanula, golden rod, hydrastis canadensis, mimu- 
lus pyrola (or winter green), phlox, Solomon's seal, calceolaria, and 
many others, to give a detailed account of which would fill a volume. 

The living breathing denizens of the forest are various ; but their 
numbers are fast diminishing before the progress of civilization. When 
they shared the sovereignty of the land with the red man, they were 
comparatively but little disturbed ; but as the country has become set- 
tled, they have either been gradually destroyed, or obliged to retreat 
before the advancing footsteps of their common foe. On this subject 
there has been much misrepresentation in most of the works published 
on Canada. Game of all kinds has generally been represented as so 
plentiful, that no person would so much as dream of starting for Canada 
without at least one gun ; and emigrants on their first entering the 
country, generally keep glancing about from side to side of the road, 
expecting every moment to see a bear or a wolf dart out from every 



41 

little thicket of woods they may pass. In the present day, however, 
bears and wolves are only to be found in the more remote and unset- 
tied portions of the country, and it is very seldom that they are seen, 
unless regularly hunted after ; and even then, hunters will be out 
several days before they find a bear; and wolves are still more difficult 
to come at. Both these occasionally commit depredations in the farm 
yards bordering on the woods, and sometimes they venture out when 
very hungry into the more settled neighbourhood. Yet you may do 
as I have done, travel the forest night and day, and penetrate the 
wilderness to the utmost verge of settlement and civilization, and you 
may be days together without even starting a poor partridge or hare. 
I have been engaged more or less during my residence in the country 
in thus traversing the woods of Canada, and visiting its remotest set- 
tlements, and during the whole of that time I have met but once with 
a bear, once with a pack of wolves, and once surprised a couple of 
deer ; these latter having gradually been destroyed, but few compari- 
tively now remains. In the western district they were numerous till 
the winter of 1842 and 1843, when a numerous band of Pottawattamie 
Indians came to the Province from the United States. These were 
noted hunters, and the winter being favourable for the pursuit, immense 
numbers of the deer were slaughtered. Amongst the smaller animals, 
may be noticed the racoon, musk rat, and a species of hare, which 
turns white in the winter, and four varieties of the squirrel, — the black 
squirrel is the largest and most numerous ; the grey squirrel, which is 
seldom met with ; the red squirrel, and the ground squirrel or chipmonk, 
with several others. Among the feathered tribe may be mentioned, 
the wild turkey, which has almost become extinct. Iu particular 
localities, and at certain seasons of the year, grouse is tolerably plenti- 
ful in the woods. Woodcocks and snipes are not numerous, but may 
occasionally be met with. Pigeons are very numerous in the spring 
and autumn, and are killed by hundreds. Of ducks there are many 
varieties, some of them are very beautiful, and are often found in great 
numbers about the marshy parts of the lakes and the rivers. Wild 
swans and geese are occasionally seen. Besides these, there is the 
bald headed eagle, a noble bird ; the large fishing hawk ; the sparrow 
hawk ; the large horned owl, and two or three smaller varieties ; the 
heron, the bittern, and the crow. Among the smaller class, there are 
many beautiful birds two numerous to mention by name, many of 
them only spend the summer in the country, coming only in the spring, 
and migrating in the autumn. In the lakes and rivers, the principal 
fish are the sturgeon, which is frequently taken from ninety to 100 
pounds weight ; the lake or salmon trout, in size from ten to forty 

F 



42 

pounds ; the white fish, thousands of barrels of which are annually 
taken and salted, and a large portion of them exported to the United 
States. There are also pike of large size ; pickerel, three varieties of 
bass, muskalonge, a magnificent fish, cat-fish, suckers, perch, and oc- 
casionally eels and speckled trout. In the St Lawrence and rivers 
running into Lake Ontario, large quantities of fine salmon have been 
taken during the migration of the fish in the spring and autumn. For 
the last few years the fish have almost deserted those streams, the reason 
of which is supposed to be, the great number of dams erected across 
them, for the purpose of securing a supply of water for the grist and 
saw-mills, which have much increased in number within a few years, 
and the immense quantity of saw-dust which is constantly floating 
down them. Two varieties of turtle are plentiful in the rivers and 
ponds — the common and the snapping turtle. 

The North American porcupine is to be found in certain localities, 
it is much smaller, however, than the South American porcupine, and 
the quills are both shorter and more slender ; they are naturally of an 
opaque white ; and the Indians die them of many beautiful colours, 
and use them extensively in ornamental work. Snakes, especially of 
the venomous kinds, are not numerous. Minerals, of the most valuable 
kind, are very abundant in various parts of the Province. Iron ore of 
the richest description exists in the townships of Madoc and Marmora, 
in the Victoria district, and in the township of Bathurst in the Bath- 
hurst district. Bog- iron ore is also found in many places, and is used 
extensively in making stoves and other castings. Silver, tin, and lead, 
are known to exist in some localities, and beautiful specimens have 
been seen in the possession of the Indians, who are not willing to dis- 
cover the mines to others. Copper has lately been discovered on the 
shores of Lake Superior, and gold is also said to have been found. 
Marble of many beautiful varieties, pure white, green, and yellow 
spotted ; black and white, grey and black, exists in abundance in the 
Eastern Bathurst, Johnstown, Midland, and Victoria districts, and also 
on Lake Huron. There have been found some good specimens of litho- 
graphic stone in the townships of Marmora and Rama ; freestone, 
limestone and granite are also abundant. Gypsum (or plaster of Paris) 
is also found in great quantities on the Grand River, and other places ; 
and in some sections of the Province, salt has been made from springs; 
the water, however, has not generally been found sufficiently impreg- 
nated with salt, to make the business profitable. 

Mineral springs ; there are several of these springs already disco- 
vered in different parts of Canada. The most resorted to at the pre- 
sent time, are those in the township of Caledonia, and that in the 



43 

township of Kingston, both in Canada West, and those near the village 
of Varennes in Canada East. 1. Caledonia springs ; those springs are 
in the township of Caledonia, and in the midst of a large tamarac 
swamp, but have been cleared out and encased. A large hotel has 
been built for the reception of visitors, and a bath-house ; and a circu- 
lar railroad has been laid down round the ground for the amusement of 
invalids. They have been much resorted to for several years. There 
are four springs in the place, called the saline, sulphur, gas, and one 
more lately discovered, called the intermittent. 2. Kingston springs ; 
this mineral spring is situated near the City of Kingston, and was only 
discovered a few years ago. It is now much visited by invalids and 
others ; and the efficacy of the water for removing some diseases is 
said to be established. The depth of the bore to the primitive rock, 
is 145 feet. The water is sparkling; its taste sharply and not un- 
pleasantly saline; its specific gravity is 1.010; and its saline consti- 
tuents in an imperial pint, amount to 117.52 grs. The water is of the 
same class and of the same component parts as those of Cheltenham 
and Leamington. 3. Varennes springs ; these springs are situated one 
mile east of the village of Yarennes, which is fifteen miles east of Mon- 
treal and on the south side of the river St Lawrence. They came 
into repute in the summer of 1844, when they were attended with 
many visitors. The following remarks on the subject of mining in 
Canada, taken from the " Montreal Transcript," may perhaps not be 
irrelevant, as they will convey to you a definite idea of the mineral 
wealth of the country. The first allusion to the important minerals 
of Canada, may be traced back to the voyages of Father Albuez, on 
Lake Superior, in 1665, and other early Jesuit missionaries, whose 
statements were confirmed by La Hontan in 1689, Charlevoix in 1721, 
Carver in 1765, Henry in 1771, and Mackenzie in 1789. The latter, 
after speaking of the mines on the south shore, says : " It might be 
worthy the attention of British subjects to work the mines on the north 
coast, though they are not supposed to be as rich as those in the south." 
The printed statements of Carver induced the formation of an English 
Company, in 1771, to work the mines on the Outanagon River, on 
the American side, which resulted in a failure. In this company, Cap- 
tain Henry, the first British subject who penetrated the wilderness 
round Lake Superior, in search of furs, was interested, and he mentions 
it in the history of his voyages and travels. We do not hear of any 
further endeavours to develope the mineral indications in this region* 
until 1841. At this time public attention having been drawn to the 
American side of the lake, by more recent discoveries of surface indi- 
cations of copper, the authorities of the State of Michigan took steps 



44 

to ascertain the correctness of previous reports, and through the exer- 
tions of the late lamented Douglas Houghton, State Geologist, the ex- 
istence of copper bearing veins and native silver and copper was fully 
proved. The report of that eminent man (the correctness of which is 
singularly established by the fact, that in 1848, 1000 tons of native 
copper were raised at the Cliff Mine alone) induced the formation of a 
joint stock company; and, in 1845, mining operations commenced. 

In the fall of that year, the first location was taken up on the Bri- 
tish side. The reports of the discoveries of copper and silver, both on 
the north and south coasts, created an excitement little inferior to that 
now existing respecting California. Numerous companies were formed 
to realize the richest of the supposed El Dorado. All was haste and 
eagerness, and every one seemed fearful of being too late to participate 
in the copper harvest. A few thousand shares assumed in a new min- 
ing company, were believed sufficient to insure for their holder a rapid 
fortune The possession of a piece of ground containing a copper mine, 
and money to work it, were matters of apparently very secondary 
consideration. 

The mining fever continued throughout 1846, and reached its height 
in the spring of 1847 ; at which time upwards of eighty American and 
seven or eight British companies had been formed, some with and many 
without locations. By the spring of 1848, the mania had, however, 
greatly subsided ; many of the parties had begun to think and calculate, 
and they only then made a discovery of more value than many a rich 
copper lode, viz : that they had, without previous thought and considera- 
tion, rushed into a hazardous, intricate, and expensive business, of the 
management of which they were totally ignorant; that digging a hole 
in the ground on a mineral vein was not mining, and not the only thing 
necessary to make money by mining ; that to accomplish the latter ob- 
ject, knowledge, scientific and practical knowledge, were as necessary 
as the copper itself, and in this essential requisite, many were most 
lamentably deficient. 

This valuable discovery was made at costs varying according to the 
depth of the "diggings" but it was cheap even at the greatest cost. 
Some few, it is feared, have not yet made it; but if they persevere, 
they are sure to succeed ultimately. The losses which have been sus- 
tained ought not to create surprise, nor discourage future attempts. 

Mining is a combination of abstruse sciences with long practical 
experience. In the United States it is almost a novelty ; in Canada 
entirely so. Mining operations commenced in utter ignorance of the 
intricacies of the business, under the influence of blind excitement; and 
insatiable covetousness can hardly be expected to succeed under the 



45 

most favourable circumstances ; and to these, together with the decep- 
tions practised by share-traders, must be attributed the failures which 
have occurred. On the other hand, when conducted by Joint Stock 
Companies, with that care and caution which prudent men observe in 
their private affairs, on mineralized ground, and on legitimate princi- 
ples, mining on Lake Superior can hardly fail to succeed under ordi- 
nary circumstances; and, if these are favourable, no mercantile ad- 
venture offers so fair a prospect of yielding a large return, coupled with 
a safe investment of capital. 

Of the correctness of the former assertion as to failures, if it were 
necessary to adduce proof, Chili, Mexico, and the south shore of Lake 
Superior, afford too many instances. The latter proposition, with re- 
gard to success, is equally demonstrated by the Cornwall mines for 
centuries back, and the operations at Pointe mix- Mines on the east 
coast of Lake Superior. Since 1847, this mine has been conducted 
according to those rules which obtain in Cornwall, and which long 
observance has consecrated into laws ; the infringement of which can- 
not fail to produce losses to the shareholders even of a rich mine, while 
strict attention to them may enrich those of a poor one. The combi- 
nation of the patient endurance of the French Canadian labourer, with 
the practical skill of Cornish miners, directed by the scientific know- 
ledge of a superintendent from Cornwall, has produced at Pointe-aux- 
Mines, a result only attainable by the same means, full and complete 
success. And these operations, together with the knowledge which 
has been acquired of the mineralized character, not only of that dis- 
trict, but of the whole British side of Lake Superior, have clearly 
proved that the former alone contains within itself elements of wealth 
not even contemplated in 1846, — that the British side of the lake is 
destined to become the Cornwall of Canada, and that its mineral re- 
sources yet untouched, will, with skill and prudence, turn the scales of 
fortune in her favour, and make Canada the creditor, instead of the 
debtor of Europe. 

Other companies may follow in the track of those which have suc- 
ceeded, and will attain the same results. The advantages possessed 
by the company at Pointe-aux- Mines, in securing the services of an 
efficient superintendent to prevent unnecessary outlay in the purchase 
of lands not mineralized, and to work profitably, those which are, can 
easily be obtained by others. Indeed, the beacons which the faults of 
previous companies afford, the assurance that true mineral does exist on 
the British side, and the example of a successful company in the mode 
of realizing the profits, render the field now opened to new companies 
peculiarly advantageous. Prudence and caution will soon place them 



46 

in the same position as their predecessors ; the course pursued at Pointe- 
aux-Mines cannot fail to produce the same results elsewhere. 

It would not only be unreasonable to suppose that no other minera- 
lized ground is to be found on Lake Superior, than at Pointe-aux-Mines; 
but recent discoveries have placed the fact beyond a doubt. It is now 
known that other locations equally profitable, are to be found. And 
beyond a few places on the immediate coast, the shores of Lake Supe- 
perior are yet unknown; the ''exploring expeditions" of 1846, com- 
paratively speaking, disclosed nothing. They passed over Pointe-aux- 
Mines, which was accidentally discovered by a half-breed woman in 
1847. Similar discoveries are very common in mineral districts; in 
Cornwall, where mining has been carried on for upwards of a 1000 
years, new veins are frequently brought to light at the present day. 
The great " Wheal Maria" mine, for instance, the shares of which were 
selling in London in January last at £230, with £l paid in, was 
unknown five years ago. It was very reasonable to expect, that on the 
shores of Lake Superior, new discoveries are yet to be made as valua- 
ble as the first, and that many veins exist, both on the coast and in the 
interior, which may be profitably worked. 

A comparison between the mining ground of Cornwall and that of 
Lake Superior, will present a result that Canadians can hardly conceive. 
The whole extent of the actual mining ground of Cornwall, at present, 
is not more than about 100 superficial miles ; the largest mine in that 
county is not one, and some are only a few acres. On reference to the 
" London Mining Journal" it will be found that the average produce 
of the ore of all Cornwall, in the dressed state in which it is sold to the 
smelter, prepared for the furnace, is only seven aud one-half per cent ; 
and to bring it up to this low produce, it has to undergo the tedious and 
troublesome process of picking, crushing, washing, and re-washing ; 
hence the usual estimate may be safely received, that its average pro- 
duce in vein stuff, as it comes from the mine, is not one^per cent, and 
that the average of the great bulk is not half per cent. And yet it is 
a fact, that for ten years, the dividends from these poor mines have 
exceeded the dividends from railroads in England on the capital 
invested. The annual returns from the Cornwall mines exceed 
£1,000,000 sterling. Canada possesses 500 miles of coast on Lake 
Superior, portions of which are known to be mineralized, to say no- 
thing of the interior. The change that would be produced in the com- 
mercial position of our country, by this vast tract of land, yielding ap- 
propriate return to that of Cornwall, is liable, by its very magnitude, 
to excite incredulity. A century's advancement at our present rate 
would be attained in less than a quarter of that time, and the baneful 



47 

effects on Canada of the commercial policy of England for the last five 
years, would be neutralized. Such prospect seems Utopian, solely 
from the general prevailing ignorance of the matter, its novelty, and 
the little attention* which is paid to it. Not a single argument can be 
adduced to prove its improbability ; whereas sound geological reasons 
speak loudly in its favour. 

While on this part of the subject, it may be useful to refer to an 
official document, which possesses the rare property of communicating 
valuable information to individuals, combined with a geological report 
to the government. The document alluded to is the report of Mr 
Logan, the provincial geologist, presented to the Legislature in 1847. 
The information it contains, establishes for it a high character, in a 
commercial point of view, on a subject of infinite importance to the 
country. In speaking of the American side of Lake Superior, Mr 
Logan says, " the metalliferous lodes, which characterize the rocks of 
the country, are so numerous, and spread over so wide an area, as na- 
turally to excite strong hopes of many valuable discoveries, while they 
afford a reasonable foundation to expect, that a period will at some 
time arrive, which circumstances may hasten or retard, when mining 
will be established as a permanent branch of industry in this region, 
and the extraction and reduction of its metalliferous ores will form a 
source of wealth to its future inhabitants. The same ultimate result 
may be anticipated on the Canadian shores of the lake, which are 
characterized by rock formation, and mineral veins of a similar de- 
scription. These mineral veins are very numerous, and are marked, 
to a greater or less degree, by metalliferous indications, along several 
sections of the coast, from Pigeon River to Sault St Marie. It is, 
however, in general, a mere narrow strip along the water line, which 
has been inspected, and it is still doubtful how many of the veins, 
which were observed to contain these indications, will yield a present 
profitable result." The truly doubtful character of the veins, on the 
British side of the lake, correctly given to them by Mr Logan, in 
1847, has, however, changed, as respects some of them, since that 
period. Two years mining at Pointe-aux-Mines, on legitimate Corn- 
ish principles, has removed the doubts as to the true character of the 
veins at that place. This fact, with others, warrants the assertion, 
that true veins can be found elsewhere, and easily. 

There is now room on the shores of Lake Superior for hundreds of 
new companies : the more that are established, the more advanta- 
geous will it be for each. As it is in Cornwall, so it would be on 
Lake Superior — the concentration of scientific and practical skill into 
one districts—the frequent intercourse and meetings of managers, and 



48 

superintendents of various mines — the interchange of opinions and 
views — the new discoveries, and the continual comparison of expenses, 
would tend materially to the advantage of each separate company. 
Competition, in its usual acceptation, is not to be feared in copper 
mining. A laudable emulation in economy, and in producing the 
largest returns, could be the only rivalry. 

And it must not be forgotten, the market for copper can hardly be 
glutted. If fifty or a hundred times the present supply was produced, 
the article would still find a ready sale, by its superseding other ma- 
terials, which are used now, only until a more durable can be obtained. 
Wood and iron would give place to copper in numerous instances. 
The increase of railroads alone, in America, would, as it has done in 
England, greatly augment the consumption of copper. 

The disadvantage of the portage of Sault St. Marie, for the trans- 
port of a bulky article, is considerable ; but not a serious obstacle to 
mining on Lake Superior. In 1848, 1000 tons of Cliff Mine, native 
copper, were carted across in blocks, some of which weighed upwards 
of a ton. A railroad of half~a-mile, on the British side, which would 
cost about £2500, will render the transport comparatively easy, and 
would be sufficient for the trade for five or ten years to come. 

Copper ore caw, however, be smelted into copper on Lake Superior, 
in a reverberatory furnace, with wood fuel, as it is now practised in 
Chili and at Boston, in a blast furnace, with charcoal. In Cornwall, 
the ore was smelted into copper until all the wood was consumed. 
It is cheaper to carry the smaller to the greater bulk ; and ore is con- 
sequently carried from Cornwall to Swansea, where coal abounds, 
rather than coal to Cornwall, where the ore is raised. The art of 
smelting, which some people, encouraged by Welsh smelters, have 
supposed to be a mystery, has been proved, in Chili and the United 
States, to be no mystery at all. Chili Cake Copper is now imported 
into New York, as an ordinary article of merchandize, and sold at 17£ 
cents, or 10 l-5d. currency, per lb., equal to £95, 3s. 4d., currency, 
per ton ; proving that it must approach very nearly to fine copper, 
the quarterly average standard of which was, at Swansea, on 31st 
December last, £89, 10s. sterling 

The capital required to open and carry on a copper mine on Lake 
Superior, is much less than might be conjectured, from the enormous 
sums expended by some companies, which have not yet made a shil- 
ling of returns. An outlay of £6000 to £S000, spread over a pe- 
riod of two years, will, under ordinary circumstances, open a mine ; 
and when circumstances are favourable, even less will suffice. When 
a mine is once fairly opened, forty or fifty tons fair quality ore, per 



49 

month, will pay all the monthly labour cost, not only of sloping, (ex- 
tracting,) 300 to 400 tons per month, but also of the simultaneous 
extension of the opening, by driving and lengthening levels, sinking 
shafts to disclose more ore—a work which must always be kept in 
advance, to meet the frequent changes in the quality of the ore. This 
assumption, of course, is contingent on the situation of the mine with 
reference to drainage, and bringing the ore to the surface. If ma- 
chinery be required for these purposes, the above result will be 
affected to the extent of its cost. 

In less than another two years, the shareholders, in a mine such as 
described above, may receive back all their previous outlay in one 
dividend, which, indeed, may triple it. The mine, on the American 
side of the lake, after three years working, under many disadvantages, 
has paid a dividend of ten dollars, per share, retaining sixty thousand 
dollars in hand, to continue the operations, possessing copper raised, 
but not realized, buildings, &c, of the value of ninety-three thousand 
dollars. The Burra-Burra Mining Company in Australia, within 
eighteen months of its commencement, paid off a previous expenditure 
of £77,000, and divided £70,000 among the shareholders. This 
company had to transport their ore ninety miles by land, and 6000 by 
water, to reach a market ! The shares in the " Wheel Maria" mine, 
(great Devon consols,) which commenced in 1846, were selling in 
London, as has been observed already, in January last, at £230, with 
£ 1 paid in. It must be recollected, that, under ordinary circum- 
stances, the great bulk of the expenses of a mining company is, in 
the first two years, in opening a mine. The labour cost of even a 
large mine, when once fairly opened, is comparatively small, and can 
be swept off by a few tons of ore, as already stated. 

The sum required, for the first two years, to open a mine of £6000 
to £8000, backed by a further liability of £10,000 to £15,000, (to 
meet a reverse, which the most prosperous mining company should 
always prepare for, without being discouraged,) is within the means of 
every city of Canada. Montreal, indeed, could establish eight or ten 
companies to this extent ; Quebec, Kingston, Toronto, Hamilton, and 
other places, could each furnish three, four, five, or more companies. 
There might be thirty or forty companies worked by Canadian capital. 
Indeed, the sum required is within the means of many individuals in 
Canada ; and there is more hope of success from a mine directed, and 
under the controul of a single individual, than of a company. Part- 
nerships, at best, are necessary evils, and the greater the partnership, 
the greater the evil. There is, at all events, no reason why the stock 
of mining companies, in Canada, should be divided into more than 

G 



50 

1000, or 2000 shares, of £10 or £ 15 each. In Cornwall, very few 
amount to more than that number, and many have not more than 
128 shares. 

Enough has been said, it is hoped, to prove that mining in this 
region is worth a thought, both by the Government to encourage it, 
and individuals to make a profit by it. The former can do its part 
by reducing the price of the land, constructing a railroad at Sault 
St Marie, and proposing to the legislature a remission of the duties 
on supplies for the use of the mines, as is done for the Gaspe fisher- 
men. Four shillings per acre, does not seem a high price for land, 
although it is the price of good farming land in many parts of the 
Province; but £1280, for a mining location, is a large sura to be 
taken from the capital of a new mining company at the outset, and 
acts as a check on the enterprise of those who may be disposed to 
risk their own money in developing the resources of the Province.* 
The struggle at the beginning is always hard ; and this tax operates 
just when the company is least able to bear it. If the Government 
remitted all the instalments upon mining locations, beyond the ori- 
ginal deposit of £150, and the duties on American produce im- 
ported for the use of the mines, these sacrifices would be trifling, 
compared with the benefit which would accrue to the Province. 

As respects private interests, the minds of mercantile men in Ca- 
nada are, at this moment, kept in a perpetual whirl of excitement, 
in discussing questions on Free Trade, Protection, and the Naviga- 
tion Laws ; while a source of wealth, that would render the Pro- 
vince comparatively independent of the whole, lies untouched, and 
almost unknown. While the poor mines of Cornwall, the superfi- 
cial area of which is comprised in ten mining locations on Lake Su- 
perior, and the produce of which, in metal, is not one per cent, of 
the vein stuff extracted, are yielding annually upwards of one mil- 
lion, sterling, the vast and rich mining ground of Lake Superior is 
regarded with indifference and neglect. 

The object of the writer is to give publicity to information, which 
circumstances and personal observation, on the whole of the British 
coast of Lake Superior, have enabled him to acquire, in order that 
an opportunity may be afforded to others, of exercising their judge- 
ment, on the propriety of turning part of their attention from pur- 
suits, at present comparatively profitless, towards one which he con- 
ceives of a mo.e promising character. That doubts will ari.>e in the 
minds of many, is probable. That mining is hazardous, there is no 
wish to conceal; indeed, it is the hazard which induces the caution. 



51 

But what mercantile adventure is not hazardous ? Shipping flour 
from Montreal to Liverpool, on the chance of selling it for more 
than it cost, is hazardous. Contracting in England to deliver tim- 
ber at Quebec, at a certain price, on the chance of purchasing it at 
a lower here, is also hazardous. Indeed, it may be said, that min- 
ing depends less on chance than these, is a more legitimate trading 
operation than either, and affords a higher ultimate gratification. 

The responsibility, involved in this communication, is acknow- 
ledged and felt in all its magnitude ; but the contemplation of it 
excites no alarm. The security afforded by the facts on which it is 
based, neutralizes all fear. Little has been drawn from the imagi- 
nation, for the allegations it contains. 

Limited as is our present knowledge of the mineral value of Lake 
Superior, enough is known to induce the belief, that if that informa- 
tion had been obtained fifty years ago, the coast of the lake would 
have been as familiar to us now as that of Lake Ontario, and would 
have improved more rapidly. That such will be the case fifty years 
hence, the past course of events, on this continent, make it quite 
reasonable to expect. Mining is as attractive as agricu'ture, and 
will produce like changes in a still shorter time. The first ton of 
copper, from the smelting works of Pointe-aux-Mines, that reaches 
England, will rouse the attention of mining adventurers, who know 
what mining is. English, American, and Canadian capital, will be 
invested in mines on Lake Superior. Civilization will advance, at 
one step, hundreds of miles beyondWts present limits. Villages and 
towns will spring up in the forest ; and when those shall have 
passed away, in whom these events are foreshadowed, future genera- 
tions will rejoice in the enterprise of the present. 



LETTER III. 

Commerce — Exports— Imports — Shipping — Revenue — Public Debt— Manu- 
factures — Railroads— Banks, &c. 

It has been so much the fashion with persons, who have paid the 
country a passing visit, to speak and write unfavourably of it, that I 
do not wonder that you and others should entertain an idea that 



52 

Canada is without commerce, revenue, or aught else, but a few 
small farmers destined to contend with an inhospitable climate, and 
insuperable barriers to commercial enterprise, or progressive im- 
provement. 

The following facts and figures, it is hoped, however, will tend to 
correct such mistaken apprehensions, and inspire confidence in the 
minds of such as are seeking a new field of enterprise, where they 
can improve their circumstances, or invest their capital, with a 
rational prospect of security and success. They are taken from the 
Appendix to the First Report of the Board of Registration and 
Statistics : — 

EXPORTS AND IMPORTS. 

There is some difficulty in comparing the extent of our over sea 
trade, with that which is transacted with the United States, owing 
to the different manner in which the quantities are respectively 
estimated. 

In 1848, there was here, as elsewhere, a very great falling off in 
almost every description of business, so that neither our imports nor 
exports, by sea, equalled in value those of any preceding year since 
1843. The actual value of exports by sea, in currency, as given in 
the official tables for 1848, is £1,749,167, which is less by 
£831,125, than in the preceding year; but, no doubt, a portion of 
this difference is to be imputed to the lower prices of all kinds of 
articles. The reduction in the* value of exportations is, in round 
numbers, about thirty-three per cent ; and the reduction in prices 
appears, from a rough inspection of the tables in the Brokers' An- 
nual Circular, to account for ten to fifteen per cent, of this difference. 
On the other hand, the exportation to the United States has greatly 
increased since 1847. 

Flour in 1847 =£24,722 9 3 Flour in 184 1 

Butter do 1,016 16 Butter do 

Ashes do 6,052 Ashes do 

Wool do 5,654 Wool do 

Horses do 15,723 15 Horses do 

Wheat do 0,421 15 Wheat do 



X 62,590 15 3 



£310,965 


9 


3 


. 8,722 


6 





. 43,000 








5,324 


16 


1 


. 33,451 


15 





. 63,127 


5 


6 


£464,591 


5 


10 



If we add fifteen per cent, to this, to represent the difference in 
values, caused by lower prices in 1848, we shall have a total increase 



53 

of southern trade equal to £462,301, currency. Let us see, then, 
what may fairly be set down as the whole decrease, in quantity, of 
our exports last year. The apparent decrease by sea, reckoning in 
value, was £831,215; — less, for decreased prices at, say eleven per 
cent, on the whole export of 1847, £294,841 =for actual decrease, 
as representing quantity, £536,284 ; increased export to United 
States, £462,301 ; will leave, for the actual diminution of the trade 
of the whole Province, as representing quantity, only £73,983. 
For the exports of Canadian goods to the United States, we have 
taken the American Customs returns of goods entered there. It is 
certain, however, that this must be very far below the true value. 
The returns from our own Custom- House is as follows, for 1848 : — 

Produce of the Forest £159,551 6 5 

Agricultural Production 454,350 9 

Live Stock 54,243 7 6 

Other Articles 104,287 10 8 

£772,432 5 4 

We have yet to add the fisheries. We shall then have the follow- 
ing account of our exports for 1848 : — 

By Sea £1,749,167 

Fisheries 91,252 

To United States 772432 

£2,612,851 

The average prices of Flour, in each year, from 1843 to 1848, 
both inclusive, was 25s. 7d., 25s. 2d., 27s. Id., 26s. 2d^d., 30s. 5d., 
and 26s. 3d., currency. 

The freights for the same period were, to Liverpool, 3s. 5d., 
4s. 6d., 4s. 8^d., 5s. 2d., 5s. 4d., and 4s. 2d., sterling. 

The total imports of Canada, either by sea or inland trade, on 
which duty was paid, in 1848, amounted to £2,950,798, while in 
the year 1847, they were £3,795,847. To this may be added, a 
statement of the quantities of several articles of general consump- 
tion imported into Canada. It fully bears out the remark of Mr 
Crofton, that " in no country do the agricultural classes enjoy a 
greater degree of comfort, or are liable to fewer privations." Of 
sugar and molasses there were imported, in 1847, 20,673,389 lbs. ; 
add maple sugar, 6,463,845 lbs.;=27,137,234 lbs., or nearly i8i 



54 

lbs. to each person, besides the large quantity which is believed to 
be smuggled. Of coffee, 1,101,621 lbs. paid duty in 1847, and 
1,018,803 lbs. in 1848, = 11 oz. per head. Of tea, the average 
quantity which pays duty annualiy, is estimated at 2,817,440 lbs,, 
and the smuggled at 432,560 ibs.=3,750,009 lbs =to 2 lbs. 4 oz., 
per head. The importation of foreign coffee and tea, in the United 
States, as quoted in the Appendix, from the Report of the Secretary 
of the Treasury to the United States, was, in 1848, respectively — 
coffee, 8,200,000 lbs.=nearly 6| lbs. per head ; and tea, 6,217,111 = 
nearly 5oz. per head. The quantity of wine and spirits, which paid 
duty in Canada in 1847, was 553,849 gallons, with 2,134,721 gal- 
lons of whisky, distilled in the country; and in 1848, 392,580 gal- 
lons, with 1,905,150 gallons of whisky, distilled in the country. 
The average of the two years is, therefore, 1 6-10 gallons per head, 
men, women, and children. 

The amount of our exports to the United States has created 
much gratification ; for it shows, in strong colours, the tendency of 
trade to find channels for itself; for they now amount to above three 
quarters of a million sterling, in the face of the high duties charged 
in the States. If these duties were reasonable, this trade would be 
trebled or quadrupled before many years, to the manifest advantage 
of both parties. While the deficiency in the trade of 18i8 has in- 
flicted much suffering on the country, and materially lowered the 
value of property, it is impossible to look at these figures, without 
being satisfied that the Province is clearing its indebtedness ; for the 
difference between the value of exports and imports, which amounts 
to about £400,000, must have been more than counterbalanced by 
the government drafts, and other remittances from the mother 
country. 

SHIPPING. 

On the water, " the progress of the colony" has been as satisfac- 
tory as on shore. Thus, in 1838, the shipping of Upper Canada 
amounted to 4,505 tons; in 1839, to 5,787 tons; and in 1840, to 
8,629 tons. The tables go no farther than that year ; but there is 
every reason to suppose that the progress has been, at least, as rapid 
since. On the canals a new class of steamers has been made to 
supersede the old 500 barrel vessels ; and cargoes of 2,800, or 3.000 
barrels of flour, may now be conveyed from Chicago to the ocean, 
a distance of 1,500 miles, without breaking bulk, so that there is 
every reason to look for a greatly increased trade in this department. 



55 

Since the above period, several new and splendid steamers have 
been placed on the lakes — the St Lawrence, and the Bay of Quinte. 
In 1844, not less than twenty steamers, and thirty schooners, be- 
longed to Kingston, whose united tonage amounted to 6,650 tons, 
exclusive of many barges, and other small craft. Toronto, at the 
same period, had twelve steamers, whose tonage amounted to 3,210 
tons, besides several schooners, the number and tonage of which I 
have not been able to ascertain. The total number of vessels em- 
ployed on the lakes and rivers, above Quebec, amounted to eighty- 
six steam-boats, whose aggregate tonnage amounted to 12 : 808 tons; 
and 794 sailing vessels, barges, &c, the tonnage of which was 
72,842; and the property insured by the St Lawrence Assurance 
Company, for the season, amounted to £445,176, Os. 5d., the pre- 
mium on which amounted to £4,857, Us. 2d. — The amount of 
losses during the year, paid by the Company, £3 2,93, 7s. Id — ■ 
Additional losses not yet estimated, supposed to be £ 1,450. 

REVENUE. 

Since the Union, the nett revenue of the Province has been as 
follows:— For 1842, £365,505; 1843, £320 987; 1844, £515,783 ; 
1845, £524,366; 1846, £512 993; 1847, £506,826. The cus- 
toms, in the first year of this period, amounted to £265,386. They 
reached their highest point in 1844, when they were £429,722; 
and declined to £381.063, in 1847, the last year given in the 
report. The impost of one per cent, on the circulation of the notes 
of chartered Banks, rose pretty steadily, except in the year 1843, 
from £10,277, in 1842, to £l6,006, in 1847- Another branch of 
our revenue, which every Canadian must regard with great anxiety, 
is that derived from our public works. The table of revenue affords 
us pleasing grounds for believing, that our hopes, from these most 
important enterprises, will not prove vain. The nett revenue from 
tolls, in 1842, was £l 6,369 ; and it had risen, in 1847, to £42,557. 
The gross revenue — a better criterion of the amount of traffic on 
these gigantic highways — presents a still more encouraging state- 
ment. There was, as will be seen, a slight decrease in 1845; but 
on the whole, the progress of receipts, since 1842, has been large 
and steady. Here follow the figures for each year, from 1842 to 
1847, both inclusive :— £24,232, £34,604, £44,429, £41,039, 
£61,486, £ 83.335. This increase is far more rapid, than in any 
five years on which a fair comparison can be made with the New 
York canals, and fully bears out the wisdom of those by whose en- 



56 

terprise our public works were set on foot. Our canals have just 
been finished ; and the class of vessels, for which they are intended, 
could only commence their trips in the last year of this period. 
Under these circumstances, let us compare the progressive increment 
of our tolls, with those of New York State, for a period of six years 
after the Erie Canal, (the rest are too inconsiderable to be of conse- 
quence in the calculation,) had been seventeen years in operation. 
In 1837, the New York State Tolls amounted to 1,293,129 dollars; 
and in 1842, to l,749,204=thirty-six per cent, increase in six years. 
Our own tolls, according to the figures given above, increased at the 
rate of 240 per cent, in the same length of time. But this statement 
affords a very inadequate comparison, for during the period we have 
taken, the New York State works were in full operation, whereas 
some of the principal Canadian works only began to yield a revenue 
at different dates during the period. For example, we have only 
five years revenue of the Welland Canal, which yielded more than 
one-third of the whole revenue in 1847 ; only three years of the 
Beauharnois Canal, which yielded last year £3,959 ; and only one 
year's revenue from the Williamsburgh Canal. The returns for 
1848 bring them up to £50,000. 

PUBLIC DEBT— 1848. 

The entire public debt of Canada amounts to £5,208,640, 8s. 
llfd., of which £4,506,267. 9s has been expended on our public 
works, and is, consequently, represented by them, while the balance 
of £702,372 19s. llfd. has been borrowed, from time to time, for 
the general purposes of the Government. The money borrowed, 
specifically, for the construction of these works, is, however, only 
£3,922,338, 10s. 6d., or £583,928, 18s. 6d. less than. the expendi- 
ture upon them, the last sum having been taken from the annual 
revenues of the Province, after paying all the annual expenses. 
The interest upon the entire public debt is £200,000 ; the Civil 
List for 1849> £73,884, and the provision for a sinking fund, 
£75,000 — together £348,884 — while the Customs revenue alone, 
for the same year, is estimated at £450,000. But, besides interest 
upon debt, sinking fund, and civil list, we find " other charges," 
(including educational grants, about £70,000, agriculture, £10,000, 
charitable institutions, £15,000,) against the revenue, to the large 
amount of £2l6,519> 2s. 9d., raising the whole annual expenditure 
to £565,403, 2s. 9d. To meet this expenditure for the current 



57 

year, Mr Hincks calculates the revenue at £574,640, arising from 
the following sources : — 

Customs £'450,000 

Public Works 50,000 

Excise 30,000 

Territorial 20,000 

Other Sources 24,640 



£574,640 



This, it will be seen, leaves a surplus of £9,136, 17s. 3d. of reve- 
nue, over expenditure, for the current year.* 

MANUFACTURES. 

We come now to manufactures, premising, that when we speak of 
United Canada, we take the imperfect census of Eastern Canada, 
as representing the statistics of that part of the Province. In the 
United Province, then, there are 66l fulling and carding mills, 130 
breweries, 174 distilleries, 389 tanneries, 1,740 asheries, 10 paper 
mills, 19 trip hammers, 14 oil-mills, and 9 nail factories, besides 
many other kinds of manufactories, among the most important of 
which are iron and iron-wares. There is a large establishment in 
Canada East, called the St Maurice Iron Works, a short distance 
from the town of Three Rivers, which not only supplies a large pro- 
portion of the stoves, and other hollow wares, made use of in the 
country, but annually exports large quantities to other colonies, be- 
sides a considerable number of ploughs and axes, which are highly 
esteemed. There is a similar establishment in the village of Nor- 
mandale, in the Talbot District, containing a blast furnace for smelt- 
ing bog-ore, which yields from twenty to thirty-five per cent, of 
iron — and a cupola furnace ; and castings of all descriptions are 
made. The enterprising gentleman, M. Van Norman, who owns 
the above establishment, has purchased the extensive works in Mar- 
mora, in the Victoria district, which have not been worked for seve- 
ral years ; and having formed a large company, by the sale of 
shares, there is every prospect that a sufficient amount of capital 
will be realized, to keep those important iron works in constant ope- 
ration. There is a similar establishment in the adjoining township 

* Canada, its Financial Position and Resources, by the Hon. Francis 
Hincks. — Ridgway, London. 



58 

of Madoc. Both those townships are noted for the excellency and rich- 
ness of the iron-ore, which is said to yield seventy five per cent, of iron 
of the best quality, and so abundant, as to be sufficient for the con- 
sumption of the whole of British North America. There are also seve- 
ral foundries and axe factories in many of the towns and villages through 
the country. There are a few pail factories. Considerable quantities 
of bricks are made; and the demand for them is daily increasing. Soap 
and candles, starch, blue, linseed-oil, cider, and several other articles? 
are also made, among which, must not be omitted, the manufacture 
of maple-sugar, which had, according to the census of 1848, for 
Canada West, amounted to 3,764,243 lbs. ; and as it is generally 
admitted that the census were defective, it may reasonably be sup- 
posed, that not less than ten per cent, would be required to make up 
the omissions. This would bring the crop up to 4,160,667 lbs., or 
nearly six pounds to each individual. The following is the produce 
of some of the factories for 1848, all in Canada West : — Of fulled 
cloth, 624,971 yards; of linen, 71,715 yards; flannel, 1,295,172 
yards. The total increase in the annual production of these articles, 
in six years, has been 664,141 yards, the increase being very nearly 
equal to one yard for each individual of the population. The whole 
of the increment, however, has occurred upon the woollen goods, as 
there is a considerable falling off in linens, which we have deducted 
to arrive at the above figures. 

Manufactures must, however, be regarded as only in a state of 
infancy in Canada ; and probably no part of the world affords so 
extensive a field for the profitable investment of capital, in this de- 
partment of business ; and I unhesitatingly assume the responsi- 
bility of assuring you, as the result of long and careful observation, 
that there are fortunes to be made in Canada, by manufactures, as 
well as comfort and independence by agriculture. 

RAILROADS. 

The three great lines of Railway, which at present press them- 
selves on the public attention, as being of primary importance, and 
connected with the general prosperity of the Province, are, — 

1st. The line extending from Quebec, westward, along the north 
shores of the River St Lawrence and Lake Ontario, to Toronto — 
from that city to Hamilton, and from thence along the Great West- 
ern Railway to Windsor, opposite Detroit, in the State of Michigan. 

The first line naturally divides itself into five sections. 

1. Beginning at Quebec, the first section will terminate at Men- 



59 

treal, a distance of about 180 miles. No charter has yet been ob- 
tained for this portion of the line, nor any steps taken to obtain one. 
The St Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad Company propose to run 
their road through the eastern townships, for seventy miles, to Mel- 
bourne, on a course towards Quebec. It remains yet to be settled, 
whether it would be preferable to extend this road to Quebec, or to 
construct a separate one on the north bank of the river. No sur- 
veys having been made of this section, the probable expense cannot 
be estimated. 

2. The second section, from Montreal to Kingston, a distance of 
about 180 miles, is another necessary link in the great chain of rail- 
way communication. 

A charter was obtained for it in 1845 ; but the company has not 
yet organised itself, nor have any surveys or estimates been made. 
A railway has been finished from Montreal to Lachine, under a se- 
parate charter. By their charter, this company are bound to trans- 
fer their railroad, on certain specified terms, to any other company, 
who will extend it onwards towards Kingston, and shall bona jide 
expend the sum of £100,000 on such extension. This section, 
connecting, as it does, the great chain of lakes with the chief com- 
mercial city of Canada, and with the Atlantic navigation, will un- 
doubtedly command a.large and lucrative trade. It will, probably* 
in a few years, be intersected by a railway running from Bytown to 
Prescott, and connecting the Ottawa and St Lawrence. The Og- 
densburg railroad, with its terminus opposite Prescott, will also con- 
tribute to increase its trade. 

3. The third section extends from Kingston, 165 miles, along 
Lake Ontario, to Toronto. A charter has been obtained for this 
road, and a preliminary survey made, estimating the probable cost 
of the work at £865,000. The prospects and advantages of this 
road are stated at length in the Prospectus of their Company, and 
the Report of their Engineer, published in 1846. It will be con- 
nected at Kingston with " The Rome, Waterdown, and Cape Vin- 
cent Railroad," in the State of New York, by means of steam-fer- 
ries over the St Lawrence, and a short railroad, of seven miles, 
across Wolfe Island. A complete railway communication will thus 
be established between Kingston and the Atlantic Cities of Boston 
and New York. 

Active exertions are now being made by the Port- Hope and 
Peterborough Railroad Company, to commence their undertaking, 
which will intersect the main road at Port-Hope, and pour into it 



60 

the large and increasing trade of the Newcastle and Colborne 
districts. 

4. A charter has also been granted for the fourth section, con- 
necting Toronto with Hamilton. The length of this portion of the 
line is about forty miles ; but its construction has not been begun, 
nor have the company as yet made any preparation for that purpose. 

The 5th and last section has been for some years before the pub- 
lic, as " The Great Western Railway." The main trunk extends 
from Hamilton to Windsor, a distance of nearly 186 miles, and will 
cost, according to the engineer's estimate, £989,853. 

A branch from the main line runs from Hamilton, forty-two 
miles, to the Niagara River, at the estimated expense of £248,767* 
Another branch extends to Port-Sarnia, at the foot of Lake Huron. 
This branch is about fifty miles long, and will cost £166,410, mak- 
ing the total estimated expense of the Great Western Railway and 
branches, £1,404,930. 

This great undertaking cannot be better described, than by the 
following extracts from the able and elaborate Report of Mr C. B. 
Stuart, the Chief Engineer, of the 1st September last: — 

" The stockholders of this company control the destiny, and 
may appropriate the profits, of a line of railway, 228 miles long, 
under a liberal charter, with a right to exact .toll without legal re- 
striction, to make various important branches, running through a 
district of country, which is unsurpassed in this country or Europe, 
commencing in the west, at the head of Lake Erie, where daily 
steamers connect it with all the shores of the great upper lakes, and 
the fertile lands of the north-western States ; and a railway, now 
nearly finished, completes the line through the heart of Michigan, 
touching, in its route, and by its tributaries, at convenient ports on 
Lakes St Clair, Huron, and Ontario, and terminating in the east, on 
Niagara River, where two railways, and a noble canal, v form its con- 
tinuation to New York and Boston ; and Lake Ontario, and the St 
Lawrence, furnish an independent channel to Montreal and Quebec. 
This work seems destined to absorb the traffic of a wider region 
than often falls to the share of any single enterprise." 

It appears, from the Petition of the Company to the Legislative 
Assembly, presented to this House during the present Session, and 
referred to the committe, that the capital stock of the company is 
£1,500,000, divided into 60,000 shares of £25, each. Of those 
shares, 20,725 are held in England, on £10,000 of which, five per 
cent, has been paid in, and on the remaining 10,725, five shillings 



61 

sterling per share has been paid-^that the amount taken by the con- 
tractors will be about 8,847 shares, making, in the aggregate, 
35,572 shares. It also appears, by this memorial, that " the right 
of way, for the most part, has been acquired by the company — that 
spacious depot grounds have also been secured at Windsor, Chatham, 
Lobo, London, Ingersoll, Woodstock, Paris, Dundas, Hamilton, 
Grimsby, St Catherines, and Niagara River — that the portions of 
the line, from Hamilton to Niagara, and from London to Windsor, 
have been placed under contract, at rates under the estimate of the 
engineer; and that the contractors take, in payment, one-fourth of 
their contracts, in the capital stock of the company, at par — that a 
commencement has been made on both these sections — that the 
section in the City of Hamilton has also been contracted for, at a 
price below the engineer's estimate, taking one-fourth in stock as 
part payment, which work has also been commenced — that a com- 
pany is now formed, who will take the residue of the line, from Hamil- 
ton to London, on similar terms, and at the estimate of the engi- 
neer. ***** t nus placing the entire line 
under contract to responsible contractors, for a sum not exceeding 
the estimated expense." 

The company have already expended about fifteen thousand 
pounds, and are vigorously prosecuting the work as fast as their 
limited means will allow. 

The second great line is that known as " the St Lawrence and 
Atlantic Railroad." The whole distance from Montreal to Portland, 
the two termini of the Railway, is 280 miles, of which 130 lie in 
Canada, and the remaining 150 in the United States. Two In- 
corporated Companies, one American, " The Atlantic and St Law- 
rence," and the other Canadian, — " The St Lawrence and Atlantic 
Railroad," have undertaken to complete this line. Though quite 
unconnected as to stock, liabilities and profits, and in every respect 
independent, these Companies, having a common object, and similar 
interests, act in perfect unison with each other. The cost of con- 
struction of the joint line is estimated at £1,750,000, and that of 
the Canadian section at £852,000. 

The advantages of this line are thus described by Mr A.C. Morton, 
the intelligent Engineer of the Railway : — " With reference to your 
road as a great thoroughfare, it occupies a remarkable position, con- 
necting the St Lawrence and the Atlantic, at a point where the New 
England coast approaches nearest to the western waters, and having 
a large and populous city at either terminus, with capacious harbours, 



62 

and a rich intervening country, it cannot fail to be one of the most 
important and profitable roads yet commenced. From its peculiar 
position, it never can be subject to competition. It is the shortest 
and cheapest channel through which the travel and trade of the 
Provinces can reach the seaboard. With a long line of natural and 
artificial communication, connecting Montreal with the western 
waters, and the far west, it cannot be doubted that the completion 
of this last link will change entirely the channel of trade, open new 
resources, and add vastly to the business of the public works of the 
Province, and to the wealth and enterprise of the country through 
which it passes. To the city of Montreal, it is of vital importance. 
Situated, as she will be, at the foot of this long line of communica- 
tion, on the one hand, and within ten hours' ride of one of the best 
harbours of the Atlantic coast ; on the other, she must unavoidably 
receive large accessions to her trade and commerce, and a vast in- 
crease of wealth." 

It appears, from the last Annual Report of the Directors, of the 
19th January, 1848, that the right of way, for the first thirty miles, 
has been adjusted with 304 of the landowners. The first division 
of the work, lying between the St Lawrence and Richelieu Rivers, 
a distance of sixteen miles, is in progress, and expected to be 
finished in August next. From the Richelieu to St Hyacinthe, the 
grading is in a state of much forwardness, and the bridge over the 
Richelieu nearly completed. The total amount of expenditure by 
the company, to 1st November last, was ^82,511, 13s. 6d. 

The third and last great line of railway is that connecting 
Halifax and Quebec, and passing through Nova Scotia and New 
Brunswick. 

BANKS. 

BANK OF MONTREAL. 

Office, Place D'Armes, Montreal Capital, £750,000, Sterling. 

Hon. Peter M'Gill, President. T. B. Anderson, Vice-President 
A. Simpson, Cashier. William Gunn, Assistant Cashier. 

BANK OF UPPER CANADA. 

Office, Toronto. — Capital, £500,000. Incorporated 1821. 
William Proudfoot, President. Hon. Christopher Widmer, Vice- 
President. Thomas G. Ridoul, Cashier. 



03 



COMMERCIAL BANK of the MIDLAND DISTRICT, 

Kingston. 

Capital, £500,000. Incorporated 1832. 

Hon. John Hamilton, President. Hon. J. M'Caulay, Vice-President, 

Francis A. Harper, Cashier. William F. Harper, Accountant. 

BANK OF BRITISH NORTH AMERICA. 

Capital, £1,000,000, Sterling. Incorporated 1840. 
Toronto Branch, Walter Gibson Cassels, Manager. 

GORE-BANK, Hamilton. 

Capital, £100,000. 
Colin C. Ferrie, President. Andrew Stephen, Cashier. 

CITY BANK. 
Office, Place D'Armes, Montreal.— Capital, £300,000. 
John Frothingham, President. C. H. Castle, Cashier, 

LA BANQUE DU PEUPLE. 

Office, Great St James' Street. Capital, £200,000. 
Hon. L. M. Viger, President. B. H. Lemoine, Cashier, 

The united Banking Capital of the country, according to the 
above, will appear to be £3,350,000, one-fourth of which is pro- 
bably invested in Government Securities, and real estate, leaving the 
remainder engaged in facilitating the barter and commerce of the 
country. These monetary institutions have been greatly affected by 
the depressed state of the trade and commerce of the country, for 
the last three years. In 1846, and for some years previous, the 
stock of nearly every Canadian bank stood at or above par. That 
of Montreal was as high as fourteen per cent. The following ex- 
tract, taken from the " Broker's Circular," dated Montreal, Novem- 
ber 16, 1849, may be regarded as an exhibit of the average quota- 
tions for the last three months. " Montreal Bank — Sales during 
the week at 10j to 10^, discount. City Bank — has advanced to 
38, discount, at which it is asked for. Bank of British North Ame- 
rica — offering at 20, discount. Banque du Peuple — 35, discount, is 
offered, and refused. Commercial Bank — Sales are reported at 11 J, 
but holders demand no discount. Upper Canada Bank — nominal 
at 36 to 37, discount. Montreal Mining Consols — a few parcels 



64 

sold during the week, at 12s. 6d. to 12s- 9d. ; but since the instal- 
ment of Is. 3d. per share, paid in yesterday, the stock has con- 
tinued in demand at 14s. 3d. per share. In other stocks nothing to 
notice. It is questionable whether the banks of Canada, as loaning 
institutions, have been really beneficial to the country ; for though 
they may occasionally give a stimulus to legitimate business, by 
which the country is improved and enriched, yet, at the same time, 
they have given, especially in Canada West, an impetus to excessive 
speculation — to over-trading — overbuying, and long and ruinous 
credits, which has been the cause of two-thirds of the bankruptcies, 
which, for the last two or three years, has brought so many of the 
wealthy merchants, and small traders, to utter ruin. You will not, 
I hope, be led into an error, into which some have fallen, in drawing 
a false inference from the above facts, viz. — that Canada does not 
afford an encouraging field, for conducting successfully, a fair and 
legitimate business. I can assure you it does ; but if men will en- 
gage in doubtful speculations, involving liabilities two or three times 
the amount of their real capital — if they will involve their fortune 
in some scheme, not more certain than the throw of dice, to the 
figure of some 5, 10, or £20,000, above their actual capital, why, 
then, no financing or manoeuvring can ward off the inevitable result. 



LETTER IV. 

Canada compared with the United States in Agricultural Progress and 
Wealth — Agricultural Societies, &c. 

Writers on Canada and the United States, who take a very su- 
perficial view of the subject, generally institute a very unfair com- 
parison between the two countries, and always draw a conclusion 
unfavourable to Canada. Some French gentleman, or English D.D., 
travels through the United States, and is glorified by everything he 
feels, and glorifies everything he sees in true keeping with the genu- 
ine Yankee pedler, who, with ingenious exaggeration, adds two or 
three stories to the brick houses moved on rollers in New York ; or 
describes the wonderful self-acting pin-making machine of Boston, 



65 

which they have to keep chained, lest it should bury the town, and 
fill up the harbour with pins. After which he crosses a bridge, which, 
contrary to all his previous notions, he finds is not over the Niagara 
Falls, and entering Canada perfectly intoxicated with all he has seen 
and felt, stumbles into the society of some old lady, and forthwith 
exhibits her as the beau ideal of Canadian society and enterprise, 
and next day sees every thing blue. 

No man in his senses would venture to question that some of the 
States are in several respects in advance of Canada, or that annexa- 
tion would soon place the Province in the condition that they are. 
And yet, the real or imaginary disadvantages under which Canada is 
supposed to labour, cannot arise from her geographical position or 
physical condition, nor can it be attributed to any dfference in the 
form of government, or any necessary consequence of the dependence 
of the Colony upon England, unless in that dependence is to be found 
a solution of the reason why the parent state has lavished her capital 
more profusely upon a foreigner, than upon her own child. For had 
half the immense sums borrowed in England by the United States 
for the purpose of constructing their public works, been as readily 
granted to aid Canadian enterprise, the Province, ere this, would 
have rivalled the most prosperous State in the Union. Neither ought 
it for a moment to be admitted that the difference arises from a lack 
of the real spirit of enterprise among the intelligent business men of 
Canada, but from an absence of that which is its very life-blood — 
Capital. Like Job, Canada is rich in flocks and herds, and patience, 
and though rich, there is nevertheless wanting the mainspring of 
enterprise — money. 

But has Canada really been standing still for the last quarter of a 
century, while the States have been making such wonderful progress ? 
The following facts will answer the question : — Within that period 
the Rideau Canal, the Welland Canal, and the St Lawrence Canals, 
some of the most magnificent and important undertakings in the 
world, have been commenced and completed ; the City of Hamilton, 
the towns of London, Bytown, Coburg, and others, scarcely had an 
existence; now they are flourishing towns, containing handsome 
private dwellings, and public buildings, that will not suffer by a com- 
parison with any towns of equal population, though twice their age, 
either in the States, or Old England herself. The progress of popu- 
lation has been equally great. Fifty years ago Toronto was a swamp, 
with a fort and twelve log huts, and without a single settlement 
within 100 miles of it, and the Home District in which it is situated 

I 



GG 



contained about 220 inhabitants. In 1848 it contained 106,354-, 
and the city contained of that population 23,505. Toronto will 
throw many of the cities and towns of the United States and Great 
Britain, with twice the population and age, into the shade. In 1811 
the whole population of Canada West, was only 77,000, it is now 
723,292. 

The following statistics of agricultural and other property, taken 
from the Report of the Board of Registration and Statistics, and 
prepared in their present form by the Editor of the " Montreal Her- 
ald," will confirm my remarks, and will doubtless be satisfactory to 
you. 

AGRICULTURAL AND OTHER PROPERTY. 

The information on this subject is principally to be found in the enu- 
merations prepared for the purpose of local taxation in Canada West. 
We find in these returns, an account of the cultivated lands, grist mills, 
live stock, carriages, and other kinds of property assessed by the District 
Councils. The steady increase for twenty-three years, without any 
considerable falling off, is highly instructive. We give the value of 
assessed property for every year from 1825 to 1848, both inclusive : — 



£2,735,783 ; 
£3,918,712 ; 
£5,345,372 ; 
£7,556.514 ; 



£2,256,874 
£2,929,269 
£3,880,994 
£5,607,426 
£7,778,917 



£2,409,064 ; 
£3,143,484 ; 
£4,605,103 ; 
£6,269,398 ; 
£8,236,677 ; 



£2,442,847 
£3,415,822 
£4,431,098 
£6,913,341 
£8,567,001. 



£2,579,083 ; 
£3,796,040 ; 
£4,282,544 ; 
£7,155,324 ; 



In the same time the number of grist mills had increased from 232 
to 527, and of saw mills from 394, to 1489 ; the number of acres 
under cultivation from 535,212, to 2,673,820; of houses from 8,876, 
to 42,957 ; and of horses, oxen, milch cows, and young cattle to- 
gether, from 121,206, to 481,417. 

The comparison of Canada West with the State of New York in 
these particulars, is by no means calculated to encourage the er- 
roneous impressions — for erroneous we have always considered them 
— of the superiority of our neighbours on the south of the St Law- 
rence. From the census of the State of New York, for 1835, the latest 
land census we have at hand — we learn that, after 221 years of set- 
tlement, New York had a population of 2,174,517 souls, and 
9,655,426 acres of cultivated land=l acre to every 4^ of the popu- 
lation ; whereas the census of Canada West for 1848, shows that, 
after only seventy years settlement, we possess the much larger pro- 
portion of one acre to every 3§ of the population, the quantity of 



67 

cultivated land being, as we have seen, 2,673,820, to a population 
of 723,292. 

Let us now see how our wealth in cattle, &c, compares with that 
of our neighbours. According to the enumeration already given 
from the assessment rolls of the District Councils, the Western Cana- 
dians possess one head of cattle and horses together, to every one 
and four-tenths of the population; but this census, taken for the 
purpose of taxation, excludes all animals which are not taxed. The 
census returns of the commissioners, which include the exempted 
classes, makes the number of neat cattle and horses 717*234, instead 
of 481,417. As no one has any interest in exaggerating the return 
to the commissioners, while there is a manifest profit in diminishing 
the number of animals assessed for taxation, it is probable that the 
larger return — besides the exempted classes — may include many 
animals not enumerated by the District Councils, and that it is the 
most correct. The census by the general Government of the United 
States, taken, we believe, merely for statistical purposes, gives 
2,385,787 horses and neat cattle for the State of New York ; — that 
is, nearly one head to every head of the population. Our own propor- 
tion, taking the census return as the truth, is a little nearer one head 
than the New York ratio ; or taking the smaller return for assessment, 
is equal to one head for every one and three quarters of the popula- 
tion. But New York has been settled 220 years, and her farmers 
are the sons of flourishing men, who tilled the same land on which 
their sons reside; a great proportion of our farmers settled in 
the wilderness with no other riches than stout arms and resolute 
hearts. 

Here is another pleasing statement. The pleasure carriages in 
Upper Canada — in which none are included that are ever used for 
agricultural purposes- — were 587 in 1825, and 4685 in 1847. The 
population had increased three-fold ; the pleasure carriages eight-fold 
—a striking proof of augmented wealth and comfort. 

We have ourselves prepared many of these calculations: Mr 
Crofton has provided the following to our hands, which strikingly 
sustains the remarks we have made relative to the supposed supe- 
riority of the United States. We give only so much of the table as 
will show the results. It is an account of the crop in Canada West 
for 1847. 

Wheat, 7,558,773 bushels ; Barley, 515,727 do. ; 0318,7,055,730 
do.; Rye, 446.293 do. ; Maize, 1,137,555 do. ; Buckwheat, 432,573 
do.; Peas, 1,753,846 do.; Potatoes, 4,751,331 do, 



68 

The value of this crop is estimated at £2,676,285, currency. Here 
is the comparison of the crops of Canada West, with those of the 
United States : — 

United States. Canada West. 

Quantity per inhabitant. Quantity per inhabitant. 

1840 1847 1842 1847 

Wheat, bushels, 4.96 5.50 6.62 10.45 

Barley, do 0.25 0.28 2.12 0.71 

Oats, do 7.21 8.09 9.85 9.75 

Bye, do 1.09 1.42 0.60 0.62 

Buckwheat, do 0.43 0.56 0.72 0.60 

Maize, 22.12 26.01 1.42 1.57 

Potatoes, 6.35 4.86 16.62 6.57 

Peas, no return, 2.45 2.42 

The following exhibits a comparison with States celebrated for 
their wheat crops; the statement is for 1847: — New York State 
raised five bushels to each person ; Pennsylvania, seven ; Virginia, 
ten; Ohio, ten; Indiana, eight. Canada West, as we have seen, 
exceeded them all— her produce being nearly 10^ bushels to each 
inhabitant. 

We have taken these calculations from Upper Canada, because 
the census of the Eastern part of the Province is not very reliable, 
and is doubtless considerably under the truth. We find, however, 
the whole produce of Canada East in bushels, for the year 1844, 
set down in the census of that period as 21,325,596=30 bushels per 
unit of population. This is about one-fourth less per head than the 
produce of Canada West, for 1842. This, we believe, is a much 
smaller difference between the produce of the two sections of the 
Province, than is generally supposed to exist. If it be remembered 
that the Eastern part of Canada comprises a large population who 
inhabit the bleak shores of the St Lawrence below Quebec, the far 
greater portion of the lumbering population, and the two largest 
cities, it will be evident that when opinions are compared with figures, 
the inferiority of the really good portions of Lower Canada is by no 
means borne out. But to arrive at a just appreciation of the truth, 
we must also remember the calamitous visitation of the wheat fly, 
which for several years before and after the date of our statement 
(1844) so cruelly disappointed the hopes of the Lower Canadian far- 
mer. Here are the statistics of this article of produce, for three 
different periods: — for 1831, by Bouchette's estimate, 3,404,756 



69 

bushels of wheat ; for 1831, by census, 3,404,756 bushels ; for 1844, 
by census, 942,835. The introduction of new seed, especially of 
black sea wheat, however, has, it is hoped, remedied this evil : it is, 
at any rate, well known that the wheat crops in Canada East, for 
the last three years, have been very much larger than for several 
years before. We have little doubt that, with the stimulus which 
will be afforded to agriculture by the Portland Railway running com- 
pletely through the great wheat-producing country, on the banks of 
the Richelieu, the districts of St Francis, Montreal, and Ottawa, will 
shortly be little behind the most favoured parts of Upper Canada in 
weight of crop, as they certainly equal them in natural capacity, and 
excel them in nearness to market. 

From the above it will be seen, that whatever else has stood still 
amidst the struggles and agitations of the colony, agriculture has 
been steadily progressing, and to that, in a great measure, is Canada 
indebted for a position among commercial countries. For many 
years the agriculture of the Province generally was at a low standard; 
but within the last few years it has begun to make great advance- 
ments, and is beginning to keep pace with the improvements introduc- 
ed into England and Scotland. The emigration into the country, of 
scientific agriculturists, with the establishment of agricultural societies, 
have been mainly instrumental in producing this great change ; stock 
of a different and better description has been imported, and much 
land that was previously considered by the old proprietors worn out, 
has been brought back to its original capabilities, by means of a ju- 
dicious and improved system of culture. In order to give an impetus 
to the progress of improvement in agriculture, and for the encou- 
ragement of agricultural societies in Canada West, an act was passed, 
which pledges the government to grant treble the amount to each 
district that shall raise a sum not less than £25, the annual sum 
granted to each district, not to exceed £250, currency. Every dis- 
trict now has its agricultural society, and premiums are given for the 
best articles of live and other stock exhibited at the annual show ; 
and at some of these annual meetings, stock is occasionally exhibited 
which would not be despised at the great cattle show of Smithfield. 
There are also several branch or township societies. The following 
is the designation of the Provincial Society: — Agricultural Associa- 
tion of Upper Canada.— H. Ruttan, Sheriff of the Newcastle District, 
Coburg, President; John Wetenhall, M.P,P., Nelson Gore District, 
First Vice-President; J. B. Marks, Warden of the Midland District, 
Kingston, Second Vice-President ; George Buckland, Toronto, Se- 
cretary ; Bank of Upper Canada, Treasurer. 



70 

The question you have propounded,—" Does farming, in Canada 
West, afford a profitable return for capital invested in it ?" may be 
considered as answered, inferentially and satisfactorily, in the affirma- 
tive, by what has already been presented to your attention. Still I 
may, without hesitation, assume the more positive mode of answer, by 
affirming, in the absence of any possible motive or desire to exagge- 
rate, that there is no part of America, and probably no part of the 
world, where capital can be invested to greater advantage, in aimost 
any branch of business in which you may choose to engage ; and with 
a few hundred or thousand pounds, you may not only become " a 
small farmer," but an extensive and independent landholder. Nor is 
the attainment of such a position, without capital, at all hopeless, as 
hundreds of instances, to be met with in Canada, attest. There are 
scores of persons, with whom I have become acquainted, in my va- 
rious travels through the country, who came to it penniless, and have, 
by dint of economy, sobriety, and undaunted perseverance, placed 
themselves or their families in circumstances of comfort and inde- 
pendence ; and there is yet room for thousands more to imitate their 
example. 

A brief review of the condition of the country, the average produce 
of the crops, and price of grain, will confirm those statements. 
Wheat has been sold at 3s. to 7s. 6d., per bushel, and other produce 
at proportionate prices. These great fluctuations have led to consider- 
able speculations amongst most classes ; but whilst the result has been 
ruinous to almost all engaged in them, the farmer holds a positive and 
steady position — seldom rich, as far as money is concerned — never 
poor ; for from the produce of his own farm, he enjoys every neces- 
sary, and most of the luxuries of life. His property is constantly in- 
creasing in value ; and he is yearly adding to his possessions, either by 
the acquisition of wild lands, for the settlement of his family, or by 
making extensive clearings, and other improvements on the land he 
occupies. The constant increase in the comforts around him, shows 
corresponding progress in prosperity, whilst the absence of the means 
or opportunity for speculation, protects him against losses and reverses 
of fortune. Let the crop be as bad as it may, he is certain of enough 
to support his family. If the fall wheat fails, he replaces it with 
spring wheat ; and our seasons are so peculiar, that some crop is 
always certain to be productive. The only parties who suffer disap- 
pointment in farming, are gentlemen who expect to live in luxury, as 
they did in Europe, from off the produce of a small farm, and parties 
who invest borrowed capital in farming operations. Those who under- 
stand their business, and whose capital, employed in it, is their own, 



71 

are sure to increase their means and wealth. They may be checked 
for one, or even two years, but the third will certainly afford a recom- 
pense for their industry and perseverance. If a farmer determines to 
keep out of debt, and be satisfied with what his farm yields, indepen- 
dence in a few years will be the result. 

The produce, per acre, of all crops, varies much from year to year in 
Canada, owing to the late and early frosts. It is, however, generally 
considered, that the following is a fair average of ten years : — wheat, 
25 bushels ; barley, 30 bushels ; oats, 40 bushels ; rye, 30 bushels ; 
potatoes, 250 bushels ; Indian corn, 50 bushels, per acre. Swedish 
turnips, mangel wurtzel, and other roots of a similar kind, are not 
generally sufficiently cultivated, to enable an average yield to be 
given ; but it may very safely be said, that, with similar care, culture, 
and attention, the produce will not be less, per acre, than in England. 
Flax is sometimes cultivated, on a small scale, for the seed ; but 
although many parts of the Province are especially well adapted for 
its extensive and profitable production, little of either flax or hemp is 
yet grown, although there is little doubt that it will soon attract atten- 
tion, and to a very profitable result. 

Hay is raised in abundance in some parts of the Province. It is 
difficult, however, to give the average produce, per acre, as it varies 
much according to the locality and seasons. Its average price, per 
ton, in Kingston and Toronto, for the last ten years, may be quoted at 
£2, 10s., currency. As the result of greater attention, in raising an 
improved breed of sheep, larger quantities of wool have been obtained. 
The produce in 1848 was 2,339,756 lb., which is an increase of more 
than fifty per cent, in six years. Tobacco is cultivated to some ex- 
tent in the western district. The produce of last season is stated to 
be 1,865 lb. The rearing of live stock has not received that attention 
which its importance demands. The returns for 1848, give, of beef 
and pork, 99,251 barrels. 

Another important consideration, connected with this subject, is the 
absence of oppressive tithes and taxes. Taxation is not only vastly 
below what it is in Great Britain, but much less than in the United 
States. 

Great alterations have lately been made in the laws relating to 
assessments, the whole power being now vested in the several district 
councils, to impose what taxes they please, up to a certain limited sum 
in the pound, on the valuation of property. Each district elects its 
own council, and may therefore be said to tax itself. All the taxes 
raised by the council are expended within the district. It is perhaps 
useless to go into particulars, as almost every district varies in the 



72 

amount of taxes imposed ; but all the taxes, taken together, are ex- 
tremely trifling, and to an old countryman, or person from the United 
States, will scarcely be felt, being only l^d. in the pound upon assessed 
property. 

Every householder is liable to serve, in the township where he re- 
sides, the following offices, viz. — Pound Keeper, Fence Viewer, Road 
Master, Township Clerk, Assessor, Collector, and School Commis- 
sioner. The statute requires district councillors to possess freehold 
property of the value of £300 ; Members of Parliament to the value 
of £800. Freeholders only are eligible to vote for members of the 
Provincial Parliament for counties. 

The average of the prices of Fall Wheat, at Toronto, per bushel of 
601b., from the years 1832 to 184/7, is here given, as the most approxi- 
mate scale ruling those of other parts of Canada West :— 

Years. s. d. Years. s. d. 

1832 4 6 1841 4 5 

1833 4 2 1842 4 U 

1834 3 4 1843 3 8 

1835 3 9 1844 4 2 

1836 5 1845 3 11 

1837 8 1846 4 7 

1838 6 6 1847 4 ll£ 

1839 6 1848 (to 1st July) 4 2£ 

1840 4 0k 

Spring Wheat, always 6d. per bushel lower. 

As to the mode and price of clearing wild land, I may remark, that 
clearing land is generally considered as including the chopping or fell- 
ing of the trees, burning, and fencing, leaving the land ready for a 
crop, in five or ten acre fields, as may be agreed upon, the stumps and 
roots of the trees alone being left to encumber the operations of the 
farmer. The usual mode of procedure is to chop down the trees 
about three feet above the roots. After the tree has fallen, the 
branches are cut off, and piled together in what is called a brush-heap. 
The tree is then cut into logs, varying in length from fifteen to twenty- 
five feet. After the specified quantity has been cut down, the brush- 
heap is fired. The logs are then rolled together in large heaps, the 
parties making what is called a logging-bee, consisting of ten or thirty 
of the neighbours, with five or six yoke of oxen. The logs are then 
burnt, and the ashes gathered, and afterwards converted into pot-ash. 
Logs of twelve feet length are then split into rails, six inches thick, 
with which the land is fenced in. 



73 

The price varies greatly according to circumstances, but may be 
quoted at ten dollars, or £2, 10s., currency, in moderately timbered 
land, in old settlements, and increasing, according to remoteness of the 
settlement, to £3, and even to £4, 10s., per acre. The payment at 
these prices is always understood to be made in cash, except a special 
written bargain to the contrary is entered into. The plain lands being 
very thinly timbered; cost less for clearing, but require a more expen- 
sive mode of tillage ; although plains farmers, or those farmers who 
improve upon that system, generally get a return for their labour in a 
much shorter time. Plains are generally sandy, and yield regular, 
average, and certain crops, without reference to the seasons. It re- 
quires a larger capital to commence operations on plains than on tim- 
bered lands. 

On this new fallow, prepared as I have stated, wheat is generally 
the first crop, as it succeeds best on newly cleared land. Farmers, 
with capital, seed the fallow down with grasses, and wait five or six 
years ; but the farmer, with limited means, puts the land into crop the 
next year, either with potatoes or spring grain : then follows wheat 
again, every alternate year, until he has power to clear enough new 
land for his wheat crop each year, when the old land is laid down in 
meadow, and otherwise cropped, without much attention to the usual 
general rules of good farming, until the stumps rot sufficiently to ad- 
mit of the free use of the plough. The best English and Scotch 
farmers then adopt the customary three or four field system, or other- 
wise wheat, and winter, and summer fallow, each alternate year. The 
first crops are always put in with the harrow alone. It is, however, 
almost impossible to speak positively in reply to this question, as it 
seems to be quite a matter of convenience, or perhaps caprice, as to 
the manner in which the cultivation shall proceed. We have farmers 
from all parts of Great Britain, Ireland, Europe, and the United 
States ; and each person assimilates his practice, as much as possible, 
to the customs to which he has been used, or thinks best for the 
country. 

In first settling upon wild land, it is usual to clear a small piece of 
land, on which to erect a house or shanty. The latter may be put up 
at a cost of £2, or £3., and a comfortable log-house, twenty feet by 
thirty, with two floors, and shingled roof, for £10 ; log-barn, thirty by 
forty feet, from £7, to £10 ; a frame-house, of the same dimensions, 
from £50, to £100 ; and a brick-house would not cost more, unless 
the bricks and lime had to be drawn a great distance. A good frame 
barn, forty by fifty feet, will cost about £70. It must, however, be 
remembered, that the settler very seldom spends money in erecting 

K 



74 

bis buildings, a9 they are generally of a rough description, and built 
by himself, with the assistance of his neighbours, and added to, as his 
wants and increasing prosperity may, from time to time require. As 
it regards the purchase of farm stock, if you should settle upon a wild 
lot, without capital, you can succeed tolerably well the first two or 
three years, without oxen or horses, as you can generally hire them 
much cheaper than you could afford to keep them, at a time when you 
will not need them much, as most of your logging will be done by 
bees. When you find yourself in circumstances to purchase, you may 
obtain them at the following prices: — Yoke of oxen, £10, to £15 ; 
cows, £2, 10s. to £5; farm horses, each, ,£15, to £20; sheep, 10s. 
to £1, each ; waggon, £15, to £20 ; pleasure carriage, single horse, 
£20, to £30 ; double horse, from £50, to £100 ; lumber, or common 
sleigh, £7, 10s. to £10 ; pleasure sleigh, single horse, £5, to £12, 10s ; 
double, £25, to £75; common double harness, from £5, to £7, 10s.; 
pair of drags' £1, 10s.; and other implements in proportion; but 
prices vary much in different sections of the country. The wages of 
farm servants, when hired by the month, are, for male servants, £2, to 
£2, 10s. ; female, 10s. to £1, per month. When hired by the year, 
they are, for male servants, £20, to £25. Female servants are seldom 
hired by the year. 



LETTER V. 

Religious and Educational Institutions. 

In contemplating a removal from the home of yourchildhood, and 
the associations of youth, and leaving behind you the churches and 
graves of your fathers, together with all the time-honoured institutions 
of your native land> and loosiog the bonds which have long united you 
to society and to friends, and severing the ties which have entwined 
those you fondly love around your heart's best and purest affections. 
It is natural to inquire, — Is there in the institutions of the country 
which I am about to select as my future home, and the state of its so- 
ciety, those elements of social order and happiness, and that religious 
comfort which, in some measure, will compensate the loss I am likely 
to sustain ? This will depend, in a great measure, upon the particu- 
lar locality yout circumstances or desires may lead you to select. 



75 

Should you settle in any of the principal cities or towns, you will 
find society and the religious and educational advantages, nearly equal 
to those you may have left at home. Indeed, it is an indisputable 
fact, that churches and ministers are more numerous in the towns and 
villages of Canada West, in proportion to their population than they 
are in any part of Great Britain. They are too numerous — the remote 
and destitute settlements of Canada, and the dark and unenlightened 
portions of the heathen world, would be better off if some of the Ca- 
nadian towns and villiages were emptied of half their ministers. And 
Missionary Societies at home, would do well if they would satisfy 
themselves and their supporters, that in yeilding to calls for an increase 
of labourers, they are not sending them to divide already existing so- 
cieties or churches in towns and villages, rather than to the destitute 
portions of the country. 

In confirmation of the above statements, I may farther remark, that 
in several of the towns and villages containing from 600 to 1,200 in- 
habitants, there are from five to eight resident ministers, or regular 
ministrations on each Sabbath, in from five to eight churches ; and ac- 
cording to the last religious census, one-sixth of the population do not 
profess any religious creed, or belong to any church. With this esti- 
mate, you have the following as the result : — In the first case, you 
have a minister for every 100, and in the second, for every 150 of the 
population. But I have said enough upon this subject. The follow- 
ing advice of Dr Abeel, an emiuent missionary in China, will not be 
out of place : — " In selecting their spheres of action, let each denomi- 
nation pass by the places already occupied, and fix upon those where 
their services are most needed." Until there is a general and practical 
recognition of the importance of this advice, vast sums of money and 
labour must be expended, absolutely to defeat the very end the 
Christian Church is professedly seeking to attain. Should you de- 
termine to locate in some of the old settlements, your various Jprivi- 
leges will be somewhat abridged, yet, in those improved portions of the 
couutry, you will find good society ; and if you are influenced in your 
choice by national considerations, you may find neighbourhoods where 
the majority of the inhabitants are your own countrymen. Some set- 
tlements are almost exclusively English, some Irish, some Scotch, and 
others Canadian and American. 

Should you, however, venture upon the difficulties and privations of 
the " Bush," and settle in any of the new and more remote sections of 
the country, your society will be different, and your privileges less ; 
and the occsional visits of a Wesleyan Missionary, may be all the re- 
ligious advantages you will enjoy for a few years. You cannot well 



76 

settle beyond the boundaries of his ministrations, for, as a class, the 
Methodist Ministry in Canada, continue to be, as they have been, from 
the earliest settlement of the country, the pioneers of religion. It 
is not intended to set up a claim on their behalf to all the moral 
and religious good effected in the Province, yet, even the enemies of 
Methodism have conceded the truth of the sentiment contained in the 
following language of a Presbyterian writer : — " There is no sect to 
which this Province, in its earlier stages, owed more than to the Me- 
thodists. They were the pioneers of religion, kept the spirit of it 
alive, and prepared the way for other sects." I trust it will not be re- 
garded by any, as unseemly on my part, when I state, that but for the 
labours of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary, many families and 
neighbourhoods would be altogether destitute of the ordinances of reli- 
gion, and not only so, but large tracts of country have been occupied 
exclusively by them as messengers of Christ. There are, at the pre- 
sent, more than thirty of those missionaries labouring in the remotest 
portions of the country, extending from L'Orignal on the Ottawa, to 
Godrich on Lake Huron. There are also twelve Indian missions, 
eighteen missionaries; thirty-one interpreters and teachers, and 1,124 
members in society. Two manual-labour schools are also established, 
from which gratifying results are anticipated. As it is not possible 
for me to give you any thing like a satisfactory account of the various 
religious bodies, and their influence for good or evil in the Province, 
without extending those Letters beyond the prescribed limits, the fol- 
lowing will, to some extent, supply the deficiency :— 

Religious Census — 1848. 

Church of England 1G6,340 

Church of Scotland Presbyterians 65,762 

Free Church Presbyterians 62,690 

Other Presbyterians 19 4 730 

148,182 

Wesleyan Methodists , 87,516 

Episcopal Methodists 35,731 

Other Methodists 14,505 

137,752 

Church of Rome 119,810 

Baptists „ 28,053 

Lutherans 7,186 

607,323 
Deficiency .115,369 

7:23,292 



77 

This enormous deficiency of nearly a sixth of the whole population, 
is partly accounted for in the remarks accompanying the census — 
25,000 not being returned at all in the religious head, and 80,000 being 
classed under the head of "no creed or denomination." In 1842, the 
deficiency amounted to 80,000. 

The following is a list of all the churches, officers, number of mi- 
nisters, and members in Canada West : — 

WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH IN CANADA. 

Mathew Richy, D.D., President of the Conference. Conrad Van- 
duson, Secretary. Enoch Wood, Superintendent of Missions. — 
Ministers, 234.— Members, 24,263. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
Philander Smith, Bishop — Presiding Elders, six — Ministers, sixty-six. 

NEW CONNEXION METHODIST. 

H. O. Crofts, President of the Conference. — J. Hughson, Treasurer*— 

Ministers, thirty-six. 

PRIMITIVE METHODIST. 
John Davidson, General Superintendent. — Ministers, twelve. 

UNITED CHURCH OF ENGLAND AND IRELAND. 

Diocese of Toronto. 
Lord Bishop of Toronto, The Hon. and Right Rev. John Strachan, 
D.D., LL.D. Archdeacon of Kingston, Venerable George O'Kill 
Stuart, D.D., LL.D. Archdeacon of York, Venerable A. N. Bethune, 
D.D. Examining and Domestic Chaplain, and Secretary to the 
Lord Bishop, The Rev. H. J. Grassett, M.A. — Ministers, 128. 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CANADA. 

In Connexion with the Church of Scotland. 

Rev. John Barclay, A.M., Toronto, Moderator of Synod. Rev. A. 
Bell Dundas, Synod Clerk — Ministers, fifty-six. 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CANADA. 

Free Church. 

Rev. Donald M'Kenzie, Zona, Moderator. Rev. Professor Rintoul, 
Knox's College, Clerk to Synod. Ministers, fifty-eight. 



78 



UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CANADA. 

Rev. John Jennings, Toronto, Moderator. Rev. William Proudfoot, 
London, Synod Clerk. — Ministers, twenty-six. 



CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

Ministers, forty. 

BAPTIST CHURCH. 
Ministers, 110. 

BIBLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 
Ministers, seventeen. 

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF CANADA WEST. 

Diocese of Toronto. 

Rev. J. J. Hay, Archdeacon of Toronto, and Administrator of the 

Diocese. 

Diocese of Kingston. 

Right Rev. R. Gaulin, D.D., Bishop of Kingston. Right Rev. P. 
Phelan, D.D., Bishop of Caarha, Coadjutor and Administrator of the 
Diocese. Very Rev. A. M'Donnell, V. G. Vicar- General. — And 
fifty- eight Priests. 

EDUCATION, 

On this deeply interesting and important subject, I may remark, 
that few if any of the colonies of Great Britain to which her popula- 
tion are emigrating, afford equal facilities for educating their families, 
not only in all the branches of an ordinary English education, but in 
all the higher departments of science and literature. The following 
extracts from the " Journal of Education," and the " List of Institu- 
tions," will confirm this remark : — 

Does public sentiment in favour of popular education increase in 
Upper Canada ? 

We answer, with infinite pleasure and satisfaction, it does. 

1. If the amount contributed each year in the various municipalities 
of Upper Canada be an indication of the progress of public sentiment 
on the subject, then we can answer most decidedly, it does; and pre- 



79 

sent the following facts in proof : — In 1846, notwithstanding the ine- 
vitable derangement in school affairs, occasioned by the transition from 
one school law to another, the total amount available for the salaries 
of legally qualified school teachers in upper Canada— exclusive of the 

Legislative School Grant— was, £47,079 16 7| 

In 1847, exclusive of ditto, 57,093 10 8 

In 1848, exclusive of ditto, 66,821 3 11| 

or an increase in the local voluntary contribution of the people at the 
rate of about £10,000 a-year since 1846 ! 

2. If the nominal and average attendance of pupils at the common 
schools, as compared with the school population, be a test of the pro- 
gress of popular education in Upper Canada, then we have no reason 
to be dissatisfied with our progress. The statistics are as follows : — 





School Population. 


Nominal Attendance 


Average Attendance 




in Upper Canada. 


of Pupils. 


of Pupils. 


In 1846, 


.. . 204,580 ' 


101,912 


No Report. 


In 1847, 


230,975 


124,829 


89,991 


In 1848, 


241,102 


130,739 


114,800 



3. If the number of official visits made by school visitors and others 
to the common schools, be an indication of. the deep and growing in- 
terest evinced by the most influential members of the community in 
the success of these institutions, then we have reason for congratula- 
tion on this point. The following are the official returns of school 
visits : — 

In 184G, by Superintendents of Com. Schools, &c., 5,925 

In 1847, by Superintendents of C. S. and Visitors, 11,675 

In 1848, by ditto ditto 13,835 

Of these visits, 1823 were made by the clergy of the Province, in their 
capacity,as school visitors, in 1847; and, 2254 in 1848. The remain- 
ing visits were made by district superintendents, municipal councillors, 
magistrates, and others. They indicate a very satisfactory progress. 

4. If the adoption, in very numerous instances of the free school 
system, in various parts of the Province, be a proof of the spread of 
sounder principles than has heretofore prevailed in regard to a more 
generous system of universal education, then we have cause for rejoic- 
ing for the future prosperity of Upper Canada. 

In various parts of the Niagara, Prince Edward, Talbot, Brock, and 
other districts, this patriotic and popular mode of raising the teacher's 
salary has been adopted, and the fruits are seen in the much larger at- 
tendance of pupils, the tranquillity of the school sections, the absence 



80 



of all causes of local differences between trustees and tbeir neighbours, 
and the teacher on school matters, and the general prosperity of the 
schools themselves. We give some of the statistics of a few districts 
for the last year, showing the effects of even the partial adoption of the 
free school system in a district upon the school attendance of such dis- 
trict, as compared with other districts and towns in which no move- 
ment has been made in this direction. 

Districts and towns in which the free school system has been in 
partial operation during the year 1848 : — 





School Population. 


Pupils. 


Niagara District, 


11,848 


9,348 


Niagara Town, (adopted fully) 


668 


716 


Prince Edward District, 


5,634 


4,212 


Talbot District, 


6,694 


4,365 


Brock District, 


9,414 


5,811 



Districts and towns in which the free school system has not been in 
operation during the year 1848 :— 



School Population. 


Pupils. 


28,589 


13,784 


5,500 


1,678 


7,700 


2,995 


5,482 


2,459 


3,451 


524 



Home District 
City of Toronto, 
Colborne District, 
Huron District, 
City of Kingston, 



5. We might refer to many other indications of the progress of 
public sentiment in Upper Canada, in favour of the great work of 
popular enlightenment which could not fail to create satisfaction and 
pleasure in the minds of the ardent friends of education ; but having, 
in connexion with two very comprehensive tables of school statistics 
directed the attention of our readers to this subject fn our last, we 
simply confine ourselves to an additional remark or two. 

The years 1846-48 have been signalized by the establishment of a 
Provincial, Normal, and Model School, and by the very general intro- 
duction into our common schools of a uniform series of excellent text- 
books. Our schools have increased since 1846, from 2589 to 2800. 
School celebrations and interesting quarterly examinations have, in 
a great degree, contributed to our progress ; while the number of su- 
perior school- houses which have been erected, and are now in course 
of erection, the more general demand for competent teachers, the popu- 
larity of well trained teachers from the Normal School, and the decided 
increase in the amount of salary given each teacher by the local trus- 



81 

tees, indicate the existence of a widely extended and more deeply 
rooted feeling of progress in the minds of the people generally ; and a 
determination to sustain the interests of what, to a vast majority of 
them, is their only College ; and to elevate to its proper position the 
highly honourable yet laborious profession of school teaching. 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMON SCHOOLS- 
UPPER CANADA. 

The Rev. Egerton Ryerson, D.D, Chief Superintendent of Schools. 
Mr J. George Hodgins, Office Clerk. Education Office — (Provin- 
cial Secretary's late Office,) King Street, Toronto. Office Hours — 
From 10, a.m., to 3, p.m. 

All communications with the Government, relating to common 
schools in Upper Canada, should be made through the Education 
Office, otherwise they are referred back to the chief superintendent, to 
be brought before his Excellency through the proper department. 

BOARD OF EDUCATION. * 

The Rev. Egerton Ryerson, D.D., Chief Superintendent of Schools. 
The Rev. Henry James Grasett, A.M. : His Worship the Mayor of 
Toronto. The Hon. Samuel Bealy Harrison, Q.C. Joseph C. Mor- 
rison, Hugh Scobie, and James Scott Howard, Esquires. Mr J. 
George Hodgins, Recording Clerk. 

Days of Meeting — Tuesdays, at 10 o'clock, a.m. Three members 
form a quorum for the transaction of business. 

All communications intended for the Board of Education, to be 
addressed to the Chief Superintendent of Schools. 

PROVINCIAL NORMAL SCHOOL. 

( Under the Management of the Board of Education.) 
The Rev. Egerton Ryerson, D.D., Chief Superindendent of Schools, 
General Superintendent. Thomas Jaffray Robertson, A.M., T.C.D., 
Head-Master. H. Y. Hind, Lecturer on Agricultural Chemistry, 
Mathematics, and Natural Philosophy. 

UNIVERSITY COLLEGES, &c. 
UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA COLLEGE, COBOURG. 

College Senate — Honourables the President of the Executive 
Council, the Speaker of the Legislative Council, Speaker of the Le- 

* A vacancy has occurred at the Board, by the death of the Right Rev. 
Michael Power, D.D., Roman Catholic Bishop of Toronto, who was the 
chairman of the Board. 

L 



82 

gislative Assembly, Attorney General West, Solicitor General West. 
Revs. M. Richey, D.D., Egerton Ryerson, D.D., Alexander MacNab, 
D.D., Enoch Wood, Anson Green, Thomas Bevitt, John Ryerson, 
Jonathan Scott, Richard Jones, C. Vandusen, H. Biggar, and John 
Beatty, M.D. ; John P. Roblin, and Charles Biggar. 

Faculty — Rev. Alexander MacNab, D.D., President and Profes- 
sor of Theology and Moral Science. John Wilson, A.B., T.C.D., Pro- 
fessor of Classical Literature. William M'Kay Paddock, A.B., Pro- 
fessor of Mathematics. William Ormiston, A.B., Professor of Rhetoric 
and Mental Philosophy. John Beatty, M.D., Professor of Natural 
Science. 

The Summer Session commences on the third Thurday in June, 
and ends on the first Wednesday in October. The Winter Session 
commenses on the last Thursday in October, and ends on the first 
Wednesday in May. 

TERMS AND VACATIONS. 

The collegiate year is divided into two sessions ; the Summer Ses- 
sion, consisting of sixteen weeks, commences on the third Thursday 
in June, and closes on the first Wednesday in October, succeeded by 
a vacation of three weeks ; the Winter Session, consisting of twenty- 
seven weeks, commences on the last Thursday in October, and ends 
on the first Wednesday in May, and is followed by a vacation of six 
weeks. 

A public annual examination and exhibition is held at the close of 
the Winter Session. 

EXPENSES. 

Board, including room, furniture, washing, fuel, candles, &c, per 
annum, £22, or, per term of eleven weeks, £5, 10s. 

Students are charged 5s. per term, during the Winter Session, for 
sawing wood and carrying it to their Halls. 

Each student is required to furnish two sheets, two pillow-cases, 
and two towels. 

Students will be charged for unnecessary damages done to the fur- 
niture, rooms, &c. 

TUITION. 

Collegiate division, per term of eleven weeks, £2 

Junior division, 1 10 

Commercial department, 1 15 

Preparatory school, 10 

Total charge for attendance at College per annum, about £30. 

N.B. — Board and tuition paid in advance ; but, in case a Student 



83 

is obliged by sickness to leave the college, his money will be re- 
funded. 

All the books necessary can be obtained at the College, and must be 
paid for at the time. 

UNIVERSITY OF KING'S COLLEGE, TORONTO. 

•«His Excellency, the Right Hon. the Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, 
K.T., Governor General of British North America, &c, Chancellor. 
The Hon. the Judges of the Queen's Bench, Visitors. The Rev. 
John M'Call, LL.D., President. Council — The Chancellor; the 
President. Rev. James Beaven, D.D., Professor of Divinity, fyc. 
Henry H. Croft, Professor of Chemistry, fyc. William C. Gwynne, 
M.B., Professor of Anatomy, 8$c. John King, M.D., Professor of 
Medicine, William Beaumont, F.R.C.S., England, Professor of 
Surgery. The Hon. the Speaker of the Legislative Council. The 
Hon. the Speaker of the House of Assembly. The Attorney-Ge- 
neneral, Canada West. The Solicitor- General, Canada West. The 
Principal of Upper Canada College. Henry Boys, M.D., Regis- 
slrar and Bursar. Professors — Rev. John M'Caul, LL.D., Pro- 
fessor of Classical Literature, Belles Lettres, Rhetoric and Logic .Rev. 
James Beaven, D.D., Bean, Professor of Divinity, Metaphysics, and 
Moral Philosophy. Henry Holmes Croft, Proctor, Professor of Che- 
mistry and Experimental Philosophy. W. C. Gwynne, M.B., Professor 
of Anatomy and Physiology. John King, M.D., Professor of the 
Theory and Practice of Medicine, William Beaumont, F.R.C.S., Eng- 
land, Professor of the Principles and Practice of Svrgery. George 
Herrick, M.D. Professor of Midwifery and Diseases of Women and 
Children. W. B. Nicol, Professor of Materia Medica and Phar- 
macy. Henry Sullivan, M.R.C.S., England, Professor of Practical 
Anatomy and Curator of Anatomical and Pathological Museum. 
Rev. Robert Murray, Professor oj Mathematics and Natural Philoso- 
phy. Lucius O'Brien, M.D. Professor of Medical Jurisprudence. S. 
Connor, LL.D. Professor of Law and Jurisprudence. J. M. Hirsch- 
felder, Hebrew Tutor. 

The Academical Terms are three — Michaelmas, (October 5th to De- 
cember 20, 1848;) Hilary (January 7th to March 31, 1849;) and 
Easter (April 16th to July 20th, 1849 ;) and the Terminal Dues, pay- 
able by students in the Faculty of Arts, are £4, currency, including 
all charges for tuition. The Medical Session extends over Michaelmas 
and Hilary Terms. 

Those who are desirous of attending particular courses of Lectures, 



84 

although not members of the University, may be admitted as occasional 
students, but such attendance will not be regarded as a qualification 
for a degree. 

In October 1846, the College Council established seventy-two Scho- 
larships; three for each of the districts into which Upper Canada is 
divided, six for Upper Canada College, and six for the University. 
They are tenable for three years ; and the advantages to be enjoyed 
during that period are, by the District and U. C. College scholars, 
exemption from all dues and fees ; and by the University scholars, in 
addition to the above, the privilege of rooms and commons without 
charge. The Examination takes place in October. 

UPPER CANADA COLLEGE, TORONTO. 

Incorporated with the University of King's College. 
F. W. Barron, M.A., Principal Rev. H. Scadding, M.A., First 
Classical Master. Rev. G. Maynard, M.A., Mathematical Blaster. 
Rev. H. W. Ripley, B.A., 2nd do. Rev. W. Stennet, B.A., 3rd do. 
Mr De la Haye, French Master. M. Barrett, First English Master. 
John Gouinlock, 2nd do. J. G. Howard, Geometrical Drawing 
Master. First Quarter — From end of Summer Vacation to Christ- 
mas Vacation, (about 20th December.) 2nd do. — From end of 
Christmas Vacation to 20th March. 3rd do. — From 20th March to 
3rd June. 4th do. — From 3rd June to Midsummer Vacation, about 
6th of August. 

UNIVERSITY OF QUEEN'S COLLEGE, 
KINGSTON. 

Professors — Principal and Primarius Professor of Divinity, 
Rev. John Machar, D.D. Professor of Systematic Theology, Rev. 
James George. Professor of Church History, Rev. Hugh Urquhart, 
A.M. Professor of 31athematics, Logic, and Natural Philosophy, 
Rev. James Williamson, A.M. Professor of Classical Literature and 
Moral Philosophy, Rev. George Romaines, A. M. 

Board of Trustees — Rev. F. A. Harper, Chairman. Rev. Pro- 
fessor George, Principal Machar, J. C. Muir, John Cruikshank, A.M., 
Alexander Mathieson, D.D., John Cook, D.D., Robert Neill, Robert 
M'Gill, Professor Williamson, Professor Urquhart, Professor Romanes, 
and John Barclay, A.M. ; George Malloch, John Mowat, John Thom- 
son, and Joseph Bruce : the Honourables John Hamilton, James 
Crooks, William Morris, Mr Justice M'Lran, Thomas M'Kay, and 



85 

Peter M'Gill ; E. W. Thomson, Alexander Pringle, John Cameron, 
and John Boxton. 

The Session of College lasts for six months, commencing 1st 
October. 

UNIVERSITY OF M'GILL COLLEGE, 
MONTREAL. 

Governors — The Governor General ; Bishop of Montreal ; Chief 
Justice, Montreal ; Chief Justice, U. C. E. A. Meredith, LL.B., 
Principal. Rev. W. T. Leach, A.M., Vice-Principal. Rev. J. Ab- 
bott, A.M., Bursar. Professor of Divinity. Rev. W. T. 

Leach, A.M., Professor of Classics. The Principal, Professor of Ma- 
thematics. A. F. Holmes, M.D., Professor of Medicine. Hon. Wil- 
liam Badgeley, Lee. Law. Thomas Guerin, Lee. Mathematics. Rev. 
J. Abbott, Lee. History. L. De Montier, Lee. French. G. W. 
Campbell, M. D., Lee. Surgery. A. Hall, M.D., Lee. Chemistry. 
M. M'Cullock, M.D., Lee. Midwifery. J. Crawford, M.D., Lee. 
Chemical Surgery. O. Bruneau, M.D., Lee. Anatomy. S. C. 
Sewell, M.D., Lee. Materia Medica. R. L. M'Donnell, M.D., Lee. 
Institute of Medicine. William Fraser, M.D., Lee. MedicalJurispru- 
dence. L. Papineau, M.D., Lee. Botany. W. E. Scott, Demonstra- 
tor. There are three terms in each year — Michaelmas, Lent, and 
Easter. 

KNOX'S COLLEGE, TORONTO. 

Professors — Rev. Michael Willis, D.D., Theology. Rev. William 
Rintoul, A.M., Hebrew and Biblical Criticism. Rev. Henry Esson, 
A.M., Moral Philosophy and General History. Rev. Alexander 
Gale, A.M., Classical Literature. 

TORONTO ACADEMY. 

Rev. Alexander Gale, A.M., Principal. Rev. T. Wightman, First 
Master. Thomas Henning, Second Master. J. Jamieson, and George 

Wardrope, Assistants. M. Deslandes, French Master. , 

Drawing Master. Terms — 1st September to 17th November; 19th 
November to 10th February ; 12th February to 1st May ; 2nd May 
to 12th July. 

DIOCESAN THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE, 
COBOURG. 

The Venerable the Archdeacon of York, President. Rev. J. B. B. 
Worrell, Assistant Lecturer. 



86 
COLLEGE OF REGIOPOLIS, KINGSTON. 

Under the Direction and Authority of the Roman Catholic Clergy of 
the Diocese. 

CONGREGATIONAL THEOLOGICAL INSTI- 
TUTE, TORONTO. 

Rev. Adam Lillie, Tutor. Rev. John Roaf, Treasurer. Rev. 
Edward Ebbs, Secretary. Revs. John Roaf, Adam Lillie, Edward 
Ebbs, Robert Robinson ; Messrs. Freeland, Marling, and George 
Wightman, Committee. 

THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE UNITED 
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, TORONTO. 
Rev. William Proudfoot, Superintendent. Period of study, in 
theology, for licentiates, four years. Two sessions in each year, of 
five months each. 

CANADA BAPTIST COLLEGE, MONTREAL. 
Rev. J. M. Cramp, D.D., President. Rev. P. Bosworth, Classical 

Tutor. 

BISHOP'S COLLEGE, LENNOXVILLE. 

Rev. J. Nicholls, President. Professors — E. Chapman, A.B., Classics. 
Rev. J. Hellonutb, Hebrew. R. Mills, M.A., Mathematics. 

Several of those institutions are the result of the deep anxiety, and 
unwearied solicitude, of those who projected and fostered them, to 
nurture and guide the rising destinies of the land of their nativity or 
adoption, during its intellectual infancy. Struggling with numerous 
difficulties and pecuniary embarassraents, they have, nevertheless, kept 
on the even tenor of their way, and have already conferred, on many 
of the youths of Canada, the advantages of a liberal and enlightened 
education. Nor has the kindred, and equally important subject, of the 
moral and intellectual elevation of the female character and condition, 
been lost sight of, in its bearing upon the progressive improvement and 
well-being of a comparatively infantile state of society. Several 
ladies' seminaries, of established reputation, are now in active opera- 
tion in the principal towns and villages. The following extracts from 
the last annual circular of the Burlington Ladies' Academy, (the only 
one in my possession,) will give you some idea of the character and 
advantages of the institution. The examining committee employ the 



87 

following language : — " It is manifestly the tendency of the instruc- 
tion imparted, to fit the scholars, not only to move with propriety and 
grace in the best circles, bat sedulously to fill the humbler, though 
equally important duties, of a happy home ; as, also, thus to avoid 
the justly dreaded issue of a mere inculcation of what are called ele- 
gant accomplishments, which so frequently transform the unsophisti- 
cated girl into an unamiable egotist. The original compositions were 
of a high order ; and the committee were pleasingly surprised by the 
refined taste, the pure style, and the piety of these productions. In- 
deed, the exercises, considered as a whole, place the Burlington Aca- 
demy in a position second to no kindred institution throughout this 
highly favoured continent." 

FACULTY. 
Rev. D. C. VanNorman, Principal, and Professor of Natural 
Science, Mental and Moral Philosophy, and Belles- Lettres. Mrs D. 
C. VanNorman, Preceptress, and Teacher of Drawing, Painting, 
Perspective, and Vocal Music, Wesley P. Wright, A.B., Professor 
of Mathematics, History, and Astronomy. Mademoiselle Henrietta 
C. Rothpletz, Teacher of French and German Languages, Miss 
Olive Wheeler, Teacher of English Grammar, Physiology 8$c, 
Miss Letitia B. Creighton, Teacher of Arithmetic, Botany, 8$c, Miss 
Sarah Wickson, Assistant Teacher of Drawing, Painting, 8$c. Miss 
Harriet A. Wailis, Miss Jane M. White, Teachers of Piano Forte. 
Miss Julia A. Childs, Assistant Teacher of Piano Forte. Miss 
Nancy T. VanNorman, Teacher of Juvenile Department. John W. 
Hunter, Esq., M.D., Lecturer on Physiology. Mr C. H. VanNor- 
man, Steward and Treasurer. 

EXPENSES. 

Common English, including Orthography, Reading, Writing, 
English Grammar, Arithmetic, and Geography, per term 

For all other branches included in the First Course, 15 

Drawing and Perspective, ~~»~~.~~*~~.~~*~~*~ ~ »~*~~~*~~* — „~*. 10 
Landscape, Flower, and Miniature Painting, in Water Colours, 10 

Ernette Painting, ~~» „~, 10 

Piano Forte, ~~. — ^^^.^ — ~~~,~~,^,~~.,~~ ~~.,^*~,~ 2 

Use of Instrument, -— . ^~~ 10 

Guitar, with use of Instrument, ~~- — ; ~w« 2 

Seraphine, ~~. — » ~~. 2 

Vocal Music, with Piano Forte accompaniment, — 10 



88 

German, Spanish, and Italian—each, £2 

Sacred Vocal Music, ~~*~*~ — — ~~»~~» „*« „ 7 6 

Latin, Greek, and Mathematics — each, » 10 

German Raised Work, ~~* «w-^~ — .~~ ,^. 15 

All other kinds of Ornamental Needlework,.*-* ~ 5 

Use of Patterns and Frames, from 2s. 6d. to ~~ 7 6 

Chemical and Philosophical Lectures, per course ,~~ , 10 

Board, including room, furniture, fuel, & washing, 10s. a- week, or 5 10 

Five Shillings per term will be charged during the winter, for the additional 

expense of preparing wood, &c. 

From the foregoing estimate, it will be seen, that £6, 10s. per 
term, of eleven weeks, or £26, per annum, will meet all the expenses 
of board and tuition in the common English branches, and that the 
highest charge for board and tuition, in English studies, cannot exceed 
£6, 15s. per term, or jL'27, per annum. 

You will at once perceive, by the facts thus presented, that you 
have nothing to lose as it regards educational advantages, in selecting 
Canada West as your future home. On the contrary, you have every 
thing to gain, inasmuch as the very highest class of educational insti- 
tutions are accessible to the humblest portions of the community, on 
a scale of expense vastly below similar institutions in Great Britain. 
Thus, at Victoria College, £30, covers all the expenses of board and 
tuition ; in the Upper Canada College, £35 ; and at the University of 
King's College, where the system of education is based on the plan of 
the English Universities, the whole charge does not exceed £50 ; and 
the charges of all other institutions are proportionately moderate. 
The charges at the various female institutions are similar to those of 
the Burlington Ladies' Academy, though some of them are even be- 
low that scale. 

In concluding my remarks upon this subject, I ask, in view of the 
data thus furnished, what colony of Great Britain, now open as a field 
of emigration, affords such advantages ? 

With respect to your inquiries relative to the progress of religion 
and education among the native tribes, and the dangers to be appre- 
hended from settling near them, I have to remark, that for three cen- 
turies the work of christianizing the natives of the continent of Ame- 
rica, has, with various degrees of activity and success, continued, and 
is still advancing. 

With the influx of Europeans to the continent, soon after its dis- 
covery by Columbus, was introduced the religion of European nations. 
Spain, Portugal, and France, sent portions of the Roman Catholic 
priesthood, for the conversion of the aborigines in South and North 



89 

America. Great Britain assisted in the common cause, by ministers 
of the reformed faith and worship ; and several Protestant churches 
have now their agents actively engaged in this important field of mis- 
sionary enterprise. The missionaries of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church are, in the Indian territory of the United States, stretching 
from north to south, 500 miles, and 150 miles from east to west, and 
containing a variety of tribes, including 100,000 persons. In the vast 
territory of the Hudson Bay Company, lining the northern boundary 
of Canada, and extending to the ice-covered waters of the Polar seas, 
a few Wesleyan Missionaries have taken up posts, and are labouring, 
amidst many privations, for the spiritual and temporal elevation of the 
numerous Indian tribes. A devoted band in Canada form some links 
in the chain of operations, extending from the shores of the Gulf of 
Mexico, to the Polar seas of the north. Nor have these devoted men 
laboured in vain. About 6,000 of the native Indians are, at this time, 
members of the Christian Church, two-thirds of which belong to the 
Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States, and the remainder 
to the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Canada. By far the largest 
portion of the native tribes prevail in the great territory west of the 
Mississippi, and in the vast regions north of Canada, and west and 
north-west of the Canadian seas, to the borders of the Pacific Ocean. 

The native population of America, at the present time, comprises 
about 8,000,000 of human beings, descendants of the great and nu- 
merous tribes, found on the western hemisphere, by Columbus and 
the early discoverers, speaking the languages of their forefathers, and 
exhibiting the peculiar mental and physical characteristics of the ori- 
ginal American races. True Christianity is known and enjoyed by 
thousands ; the Roman Catholic Faith tens of thousands are acquainted 
with ; but the great bulk are yet Pagan in religion, and uncivilized in 
life. The Indians in Canada, exclusive of those in the Hudson's Bay 
territory, are classed as follows : — 

Canada Canada 
East. West. Total. 

1. Iroquois and Mohawks of the Six Nations, 1721 3042 4763 

2. Hurons, 189 88 277 

3. Algonquins and Nipissings, including those about 

the source of the Ottawa, 1200 91 1291 

4. Abenaquis, about 500 500 

5. Tetes de Boules of the St Maurice, 300 300 

6. Micmacs, Amalacites, &c. , of Gaspe, about 500 500 

7. Ojebways, or Chippewas, Mississaugas, Ottawas, 

Pottawatimies, and Delawares, 5641 5641 

4410 8862 13272 
M 



90 

In connexion with the twelve mission stations, which the Wesleyan 
Methodist Church has among these tribes, there are several Sabbath 
and day-schools. In addition to these efforts, more systematic and 
effectual measures have been adopted, by the establishment of two 
manual labour schools, where one section of the Indian youth are 
taught practical agriculture, and the other trained up to a knowledge 
and observance of domestic economy. Other churches, too, are labour- 
ing, not only for the direct spiritual benefit of those scattered tribes, 
but also to introduce among them all the arts of civilized life. A 
large number of the Indians, in connexion with the Wesleyan Me- 
thodist and other churches, are cultivating farms, varying in size from 
twenty-five to 200 acres. I can assure you, that there is not the 
slightest cause for fear, even were you located in the heart of an In- 
dian settlement. In some parts of the Province they are mixed with 
the white settlers, who feel themselves as safe as though the neigh- 
bourhood consisted entirely of their own countrymen. 



LETTER VI. 

The Present Political Condition of Canada. 

In attempting to answer the questions you propose, relative to the 
character of the civil and political institutions of the country, and the 
present position and relations of political parties, it is not my intention 
to give you a history of the various changes the constitution of Ca- 
nada has undergone, though they have been of the mast marked and 
important character during my residence in the country. Nor is it my 
purpose to moralize upon the probabilities of the future, but simply to 
present those facts and opinions which will give you a definite idea of 
Canada, not as it was — not as it will or should be, but as it is. The 
unsettled state of the public mind in Canada and Great Britain, with 
regard to the uncertain continuance of the existing relations of the one 
country to the other, together with the frequent changes which have 
taken place in the condition of the colony, has doubtless tended to 
weaken the confidence of the British capitalist, and prevent the flow 
of a more healthful tide of emigration. No apprehensions, however, 
ought ever to have existed in relation to the security afforded to capi- 



9L 

tal, invested either in the public works of the country, or in the pur- 
chase of personal property* Nor ought any to exist with regard to 
the effects of even a dismemberment of the colony, upon the claims 
of the public creditor, or the security of personal property. And I 
think I am warranted in assuring you, that any change in the civil 
and political condition and relations of Canada, which may hereafter 
take place, will, doubtless, be peacefully effected, with the consent 
and concurrence of the Parent State ; and it cannot be doubted, that one 
of the conditions attached to any acknowledgment, on the part of Great 
Britain, to the independence of Canada, or her annexation to the United 
States, would be the recognition of every farthing of the public debt. If, 
however, I am not mistaken in the estimate I have formed of Cana- 
dian character and honour, no such condition would be necessary, as 
no party in Canada would ever consent to the disgrace of repudiating 
a debt, which they had ample means of paying. If the altered com- 
mercial policy of Great Britain had rendered valueless the great pub- 
lic works, for the construction of which the debt was incurred, which, 
it was feared, might be the case, Canada might certainly, with some 
colour of justice, have asked for indemnity for the loss she was called 
to sustain ; but this result, it is now more than probable, will never 
take place. Indeed, whatever effect the free trade policy of Great 
Britain may have upon the general interests of the colony, there can 
be no doubt it will have a beneficial effect upon the internal transit 
trade, and consequently be a source of increased revenue from the 
canals ; and, therefore, whether the partnership be continued or dis- 
solved, the Canadians can have no excuse for refusing to fulfil the en- 
gagements by which they have been enabled to construct those chan- 
nels of commerce. 

Under no possible or probable circumstances need the Canadian 
public creditor have the slightest doubt, either of the will or the 
ability of the colony, faithfully to meet all her liabilities, or need you 
have the least fear of the security — the most absolute security, of all 
the property you may feel disposed to purchase in Canada. I have 
deemed it necessary to say this much, by way of introduction, before 
presenting you a definite statement of the nature of the present exist- 
ing government, or the opinions relative to any change the Canadians 
may desire to effect. 

The Province of Canada formerly consisted of two Provinces. 
Although these are now united, there are still, in many respects, dis- 
tinct divisions, maintained, in a great degree, by the dissimilarity in 
the laws, customs, and manners, prevailing in the respective sections, 
which formerly constituted Lower and Upper Canada, and which are 



92 

now commonly called Eastern and Western Canada. The form of 
government is popular, being an imitation of that enjoyed in the 
United Kingdom. The constitution is embodied in an Act of the 
Imperial Parliament. The executive power is wielded by the Go- 
vernor-General, who is appointed by the Crown, and is assisted in 
his administration of affairs by an Executive Council, the members 
of which are appointed by the Governor ; and the tenure of their 
offices depends upon their receiving the support of the Provincial 
Parliament, in the same manner as the tenure of office, by the Im- 
perial Cabinet, is dependent upon the support of the Imperial Par- 
liament. The Governor and Executive Council thus hold a posi- 
tion, within the Province, similar to that which is held by the Queen 
and Her Majesty's Cabinet Ministers in England. The members of 
the Executive Council must hold seats in either branch of the Pro- 
vincial Parliament. The Provincial House, corresponding with the 
House of Lords, is called the Legislative Council, the members of 
which are summoned by the Queen, and hold their seats for life, 
unless forfeited by resignation, or absence without permission of the 
Queen or Governor, for two successive sessions, or by acknowledge- 
ment of allegiance to any foreign prince or power, or by becoming 
bankrupt, or taking the benefit of any insolvent law, or becoming a 
public defaulter, or by being attainted of treason, or convicted of 
felony, or of any infamous crime. The Provincial House, corres- 
ponding with the House of Commons, is called the Legislative As- 
sembly, and consists of 84 members elected by the people, one-half of 
whom are chosen in the counties, cities, and towns, enjoying elec- 
toral privileges in Lower Canada, and the other half in the counties, 
cities, and towns, enjoying electoral privileges in Upper Canada. 
In counties, a forty shillings, sterling, freehold, confers a vote ; and in 
cities and towns the payment of a yearly rent of f 10, sterling. 
The forms of procedure, in the Provincial Parliament, are identical 
with those of the Imperial Parliament. Bills passed by both 
Houses of the Provincial Parliament must receive the Queen's as- 
sent, before they acquire the force of law ; and this the Governor is 
authorized to grant in Her Majesty's name, or to reserve the bills 
for the signification of the Queen's pleasure thereon. 

The following extracts, taken from an address to the people of 
Canada, signed by 997 persons, chiefly citizens of Montreal, will 
give you a correct idea of the views which probably two-thirds of 
the population entertain. After noticing some of the existing evils, 
they proceed to notice the inducements which arc presented, far 



93 

the adoption of the remedies ordinarily proposed. These remedies 
are, 

1. " The revival of protection in the markets of the United 
Kingdom." 

This, if attainable in a sufficient degree, and guaranteed for a 
long period of years, would ameliorate the condition of many of our 
chief interests ; but the policy of the empire forbids the anticipa- 
tion. Besides, it would be but a partial remedy. The millions of 
the mother country demand cheap food ; and a second change, 
from protection to free trade, would complete that ruin which the 
first has done much to achieve. 

2. " The protection of home manufactures." 

Although this might encourage the growth of manufacturing 
interests in Canada, yet, without access to the United States market, 
there would not be a sufficient expansion of that interest, from the 
want of consumers, to work any result that could be admitted as a 
" remedy" for the numerous evils of which we complain. 

3. " A federal union of the British American Provinces. 

The advantages claimed for that arrangement are free trade be- 
tween the different Provinces, and a diminished governmental ex- 
penditure. The attainment of the latter object would be proble- 
matical ; and the benefits anticipated from the former might be 
secured by legislation under our existing system. The markets of 
the Sister Provinces would not benefit our trade in timber, for they 
have a surplus of that article in their own forests; and their demand 
for agricultural products would be too limited to absorb our means 
of supply. Nor could Canada expect any encouragement to her 
manufacturing industry from those quarters. A federal union, there- 
fore, would be no remedy. 

4. " The independence of the British North American Colonies 
as a Federal Republic." 

The consolidation of its new institutions from elements hitherto 
so discordant — the formation of treaties with foreign powers — the 
acquirement of a name and character among the nations, would, 
we fear, prove an over-match for the strength of the new republic ; 
and, having regard to the powerful confederacy of States conter- 
minous with itself, the needful military defences would be too costly 
to render independence a boon, whilst it would not, any more than 
a federal union, remove those obstacles which retard our material 
prosperity. 



04 

5. " Reciprocal free trade with the United States, as respects the 
products of the farm, the forest, and the mine." 

If obtained, this would yield but an instalment of the many advan- 
tages which might be otherwise secured. The free interchange of 
such products would not introduce manufactures to our country. It 
would not give us the North American Continent for our market. It 
would neither so amend our institutions as to confer stability, nor en- 
sure confidence in their permanence ; nor would it allay the violence 
of parties, or, in the slightest degree, remedy many of our prominent 
evils. 

6. Of all the remedies that have been suggested for the acknow- 
ledged and insufferable ills with which our country is afflicted, there 
remains but one to be considered. It propounds a sweeping and 
important change in our political and social condition, involving con- 
siderations which demand our most serious examination. This 
remedy consists in a friendly and peaceful separation from British 
Connexion, and a Union upon equitable terms ivith the great North 
American Confederacy of Sovereign States. 

We would premise that towards Great Britain we entertain none 
other than sentiments of kindness and respect. Without her consent, 
we consider separation as neither practicable nor desirable. But the 
Colonial policy of the Parent State, the avowals of her leading states- 
men, the public sentiments of the Empire, present unmistakeable and 
significant indications of the appreciation of Colonial connexion — 
That it is the resolve of England to invest us with the attributes and 
compel us to assume the burdens of independence, is no longer pro- 
blematical. The threatened withdrawal of her troops from other 
colonies — the continuance of her military protection to ourselves, 
only on the condition that we shall defray the attendant expenditure, 
betoken intentions towards our country, against which it is weakness 
in us not to provide. An overruling conviction, then, of its neces- 
sity, and a high sense of the duty we owe to our country, a duty 
we can neither disregard nor postpone, impel us to entertain the 
idea of separation ; and whatever negotiations may eventuate with 
Great Britain, a grateful liberality on the part of Canada should mark 
every proceeding. 

The proposed union would render Canada a field for American 
capital, into which it would enter as freely for the prosecution of 
public works and private enterprise, as any of the present States. 
It would equalise the value of real estate upon both sides of the 



95 

boundary, thereby probably doubling at once the entire present 
value of property in Canada, whilst, by giving stability to our institu- 
tions, and introducing prosperity, it would raise our public, corporate, 
and private credit. It would increase our commerce, both with the 
United States and foreign countries, and would not necessarily di- 
minish, to any great extent, our intercourse with Great Britain, into 
which our products would, for the most part, enter on the same terms 
as at present. It would render our rivers and canals the highway 
for the emigration to, and exports from, the West, to the incalculable 
benefit of our country. It would also introduce manufactures into 
Canada, as rapidly as they have been introduced into the Northern 
States; and to Lower Canada especially, where water privileges and 
labour are abundant and cheap, it would attract manufacturing capi- 
tal, enhancing the value of property and agricultural produce, and 
giving remunerative employment to what is at present a compara- 
tively non-producing population. Nor would the United States 
merely furnish the capital for our manufactures. They would also 
supply for them the most extensive market in the world, without the 
intervention of a custom-house officer. — Railways would forthwith 
be constructed by American capital, as feeders for all the great lines 
now approaching our frontiers ; and railway enterprise in general, 
would doubtless be as active and prosperous among us as among our 
neighbours. The value of our agricultural produce would be raised 
at once to a par with that of the United States, whilst agricultural 
implements, and many of the necessaries of life, such as tea* coffee, 
and sugar, would be greatly reduced in price. 

The value of our timber would also be greatly enhanced by free 
access to the American market, where it bears a high price, but is 
subject to an onerous duty. At the same time, there is every reason 
to believe that our shipbuilders, as well at Quebec, as on the Great 
Lakes, would find an unlimited market in all the ports of the Ame- 
rican continent. It cannot be doubted that the shipping trade of 
the United States must greatly increase. It is equally manifest that, 
with them, the principal material in the construction of ships is rap- 
idly diminishing, while we possess vast territories, covered with timber 
of excellent quality, which would be equally available as it is now, 
since, under the free trade system, our vessels would sell as well in 
England after annexation as before. 

The simple and economical State Government, in which direct res- 
ponsibility to the people is a distinguishing feature, would be substi- 
tuted for a system, at once cumbrous and expensive. 



96 

In place of war, and the alarms of war with a neighbour, there 
would be peace and amity between this country and the United States. 
Disagreements between the United States and her chief, if not only, 
rival among nations, would not make the soil of Canada the sangui- 
nary arena for their disputes, as, under our existing relations, must ne- 
cessarily be the case. That such is the unenviable condition of our 
state of dependance upon Great Britain, is known to the whole world, 
and how far it may conduce to keep prudent capitalists from making 
investments in the country, or wealthy settlers from selecting a fore- 
doomed battle-field for the home of themselves and their children, it 
needs no reasoning on our part to elucidate. 

But other advantages than those, having a bearing on our material 
interests may be foretold. It would change the ground of political 
contest between races and parties, allay and obliterate those irritations 
and conflicts of rancour and recrimination, which have hitherto dis- 
figured our social fabric. Already, in anticipation, has its harmo- 
nious influence been felt — the harbinger, may it be hoped, of a lasting 
oblivion of dissensions among all classes, creeds, and parties in the 
country. Changing a subordinate for an independent condition, we 
would take our station among the nations of the earth. We have, 
now, no voice in the affairs of the Empire, nor do we share in its 
honours or emoluments. England is our Parent State, with whom 
we have no equality, but towards whom we stand in the simple rela- 
tion of obedience. But as citizens of the United States, the public 
service of the nation would be open to us, — a field for high and ho- 
nourable distinction, on which we and our posterity might enter on 
terms of perfect equality. 

Nor would the amicable separation of Canada from Great Britain 
be fraught with advantages to us alone. The relief to the Parent 
State from the large expenditure now incurred in the military occu- 
pation of the country, — the removal of the many causes of collision 
with the United States, which result from the contiguity of mutual 
territories so extensive, — the benefit of the larger market which the 
increasing prosperity of Canada would create, are considerations which, 
in the minds of many of her ablest Statesmen, render our incorpora- 
tion with the United States a desirable consummation. 

To the United States also, the annexation of Canada presents 
many important inducements. The withdrawal from their borders 
of so powerful a nation, by whom, in time of war, the immense 
and growing commerce of the lakes would be jeopardized — the abi- 
lity to dispense with the costly but ineffectual revenue establishment 



97 

over a frontier of many hundred miles — the large accession to their 
income from our customs — the unrestricted use of the St Lawrence, 
the natural highway from the Western States to the ocean, are objects 
for the attainment of which, the most substantial equivalents would 
undoubtedly be conceded. 

We have thus laid before you our views and convictions on a 
momentous question — involving a change, which, though contem- 
plated by many of us with varied feelings and emotions, we all 
believe to be inevitable ; — one which it is our duty to provide for, 
and lawfully to promote. 

We address you without prejudice or partiality — in the spirit of 
sincerity and truth — in the interest solely of our common country, — 
and our single aim is its safety and welfare. If, to your judgment and 
reason, our object and aim be at this time deemed laudable and right, 
we ask an oblivion of past dissensions ; and from all, without distinc- 
tion of origin, party, or creed, that earnest and cordial co-operation, 
in such lawful, prudent, and judicious means, as may best conduct 
us to our common destiny. 

The " Montreal Witness" employs the following language, on the 
re ligious view ofthe question. 

The leadings of providence appear to indicate the very natural and 
convenient arrangement, that the Christians of Great Britain should 
devote a large share of their attention and means, to the evangeliza- 
tion of Europe, and those of the United States, to the evangelization 
of America. Both enter with great spirit on their appropriate work, 
and both are, as it were, on the spot to watch over their efforts. 
Doubtless, American Christians afford help to Europe, and British 
Christians have done, and continue to do a good deal for Canada, 
but the former naturally feel an intense interest for any thing Ameri- 
can, and it is much easier to enlist the sympathies of the latter in 
behalf of a Continental object than a Canadian one. This we say 
from some experience in connexion with the French Canadian Mis- 
sionary Society, which, but for the exertions of personal friends in 
Britain, would receive little or nothing from thence, whilst religious 
bodies there, vote large sums for the advancement of a precisely si- 
milar work on the Continent of Europe, — an anomaly which we 
can attribute to nothing but proximity in the one case, and distance 
in the other. 

Were annexation consummated, instead of having to send agents 
at a great expense of time and money to Britain, (which, by the by, 
can rarely be done, just on account of the difficulties attending it,) 

N 



98 

the representatives of our Missionary Societies, Theological Institutes, 
and other causes, claiming the support of Christians, would only have 
to take a run out to the wealthy and liberal cities of the United 
States, in order to obtain as great, or probably greater means of sup- 
port than they now do from Britain ; and it would, in like manner, 
be much easier for the churches and societies of the United States, 
to send deputations and visitors to Canada. 

The religious view of this question is so important, and so specially 
within our scope, that we will be pardoned, we trust, for going a 
little into detail, in order to see the probable effects of annexation 
upon various religious bodies. 

1. The Church of Rome in Canada, so far as the priests are con- 
cerned, could not probably be more closely connected with that of 
the United States, than it is at present, but the great benefit of an- 
nexation to its adherents, in Lower Canada at least, would be their 
emancipation from the legal impost of tithes, which bears unfairly on 
the farmers, forcing them to support the clergy, whilst all other 
classes go free. In the event of annexation, all would be left to con- 
tribute to the support of their priests in proportion to their willingness 
and ability, which would, unquestionably, be much pleasanter for the 
people, and in the end much safer and more agreeable for the priests, 
as there is a storm brewing among the Canadians about tithes, which, 
if it be allowed to gather and burst, by the continuation of that ob- 
jectionable impost, may produce greater results than they anticipate. 

2. The Episcopal Church in Canada. — Any attentive ob- 
server will not have failed to learn, from the meetings of the 
clergy in the Diocese of Toronto, and articles in the " Eerean," 
and other sources — that deep dissatisfaction pervades the work- 
ing clergy of this church, at the ignorance in which they are 
kept of their own affairs, their entire dependance upon the Bishops 
for temporals as well as spirituals, and the lion's share of the funds 
which the latter take to themselves. And it consists with our 
knowledge, that at least a number of these clergymen look to the 
constitution of the same church in the United States, as every way 
superior. There, the presbyters, and even the laity, have a voice in 
ali matters pertaining to the church, and of course feel their dignity 
and independence guaranteed. There, too, the church has the power, 
with the consent of bishops, priests, and laity, to modify its services 
to suit altered times and circumstances ; whilst here, no such power 
exists, nor even in England, except a convocation of the church 
were held, — a thing not at all likely, and Parliament were to ratify 



99 

the acts of that convocation. Annexation would, therefore, be no 
injury to the Episcopal Church in Canada, but rather, in the opinion 
of many of its adherents, a great advantage. 

3. The Presbyterian Churches of Canada, would, in the event of 
annexation, doubtless, fraternize with their kindred churches, of which 
there are Old and New School, Dutch Reformed, Associate, and 
several others ; most or all of which are numerous, wealthy, active, 
and influential associations. 

4. The Methodist Body would, we think, gain greatly by annexation; 
for, in the first place, the unseemely rent which occured in it some 
time ago, with all its consequent bickerings, would doubtless disap- 
pear, by Wesleyan and Episcopal Methodists joining the American 
Methodist Church on the same terms; and, in the second place, all 
the difficult questions about the relations between the British and 
Canadian Conferences, would cease. 

5. The Baptist Churches would, doubtless, immediately join the 
numerous and active body of Baptists in the Northern States, co- 
operating in all their denominational plans with vigour, and being, at 
the same time, efficiently aided by them in local objects. 

6. The Congregational Churches of Canada, would at once be 
associated with the most numerous and wealthy body of Congrega- 
tional Churches in the world, which, having no overwhelming estab- 
lishment to contend with, as in England, would have the more to 
give in the cause of missions, and for the help of weaker brethren. 

The very large body of Christians who are inimical to the State 
endowment, or legal establishment of any religious sect or denomi- 
nation would have their fears, on that score, entirely set at rest 
for Canada, by annexation. As it is, the Church of Rome in 
Lower Canada is an Established Church ; and the endowment of 
certain denominations from the clergy reserves in Canada West, 
places them, to a considerable extent, in the same position ; whilst 
a union of these bodies, for political purposes, with the adherents of 
Rome, would, at any time, be able to add what is wanting of the 
Establishment principle. We presume also, that in our present colo- 
nial state, a Governor, devoted to a particular church, might, at any 
time, confer an extensive endowment from these same reserves upon 
that church which it would be exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, 
to undo. But no such danger would exist were we connected with 
the United States ; for not only would the Constitution of the Union 
effectually guarantee us against farther endowments, or legislation in 
favour of particular religious bodies, but it would sweep away all 



100 

past legislation of the kind at one swoop. We do not say it would 
take away property which has actually been in the possession of any 
religious denomination ; we believe it would not : but all public 
property, however clear the intention might have been to distribute 
it among certain religious sects, would at once, we believe, have its 
destination changed to general public uses. 

We have not spoken above of the bearing of annexation on 
our great domestic Missionary Society, but think ic would be emi- 
nently beneficial. 

The following remarks by the Editors of the " Richmond Republi- 
can," and " National Era," together with the resolutions of the 
Vermont Legislature, will give you some idea of the sentiments of 
the Americans upon this question. 

ANNEXATION OF CANADA. 

There is no doubt that this subject is destined to occupy the 
public attention, and produce much excitement. We perceive that 
our Northern contemporaries discuss it with a philosophical calm- 
ness, in striking contrast with the spasmodic horror to which they 
are subject when annexation Southward is the order of the day. In 
the ordinary course of events, and without any new annexation, the 
North has altogether the predominance in the numbers and the 
councils of this country. To add Canada, would be to give to that 
section the most overwhelming weight. We are now witnessing an- 
other step in the fulfilment of Mr Clay's predictions, in regard to the 
annexation of Texas. He foretold this sectional annexation ; but 
even he, with all his sagacity, does not seem to have foreseen to what 
an extreme it would have been carried by the Northern section. 
The South obtained Texas, a very questionable acquisition, if Senator 
Houston be a fair representative of her views, while the North has 
seized upon Oregon ; has grasped California, with' its boundless 
wealth, and New Mexico, in neither of which countries can Southern 
institutions ever be introduced ; and now, is desirous of adding the 
immense Provinces of Canada, capable of forming a dozen great 
States, and already filled by an intelligent and hardy British popula- 
tion. We do not suppose for a moment that this proposition can 
recieve favour, except among those who are willing to build up one 
section, at the expense of the total ruin or loss of another. Tempt- 
ing as is such a bait to the spirit of territorial aggrandizement, there 
are few statements so hasty and short-sighted as to raise the battle- 
cry of Canadian Annexation, unaccompanied by a compensating 



101 

annexation in another quarter. " Canada and Cuba" will be the 
motto upon the progressive flag, as erst was " Texas and Oregon." 
One will never be united to this country without the other. 

REMARKS ON THE ABOVE BY THE "NATIONAL ERA." 

The project of coupling Cuba with Canada, in one scheme of an- 
nexation, will be scouted. Leaving out of view the vital difference 
between the two countries, as it regards slavery — that element of 
barbarism, weakness, discord, and peril, in Cuba — look at the differ- 
ences as it regards race, customs, language, institutions. Already 
the Canadas are prepared for union with us, being one with us in 
language, origin, institutions, and interests ; while Cuba has a black 
population, far greater than the white, the majority being slaves, in 
the most degraded condition, many recently imported from Africa ; 
and the white population belongs to a race different from our own, 
speaking an alien language, accustomed to despotic institutions, with 
a standard of morals happily unknown in this country. And yet, 
the " Republican" is cool enough to speak of the annexation of this 
island, savage, half-savage, and semi-civilized, with its brutalized 
blacks, and brutal whites, with its volcano of slavery burning and 
throbbing in its heart, ready at every moment to pour forth its de- 
vastating fires, as if it were equally desirable and proper with the rich 
Provinces of Canada, contiguous with our own territoriy, inhabited by 
a kindred people, industrious, orderly, productive, and trained to free 
institutions. 

The annexation of the Canadas to this Republic, we regard as a 
foregone conclusion. They will not be wrested from England by 
the interposition of our Government. No design of this kind is en- 
tertained in any quarter ; but, it is simply absurd to suppose, that 
such Provinces can much longer remain in a state of colonial 
dependence. They will insist upon independence, and the Eng- 
lish Government will yet gracefully yield to the demand. Then, 
when the question shall be, between their existence as independent 
States, and annexation to this Union, we suppose the prompt de- 
cision will be in favour of the latter. To resist such a consummation, 
would be like fighting against God — it would be absurd and im- 
practicable opposition to that universal aspiration for Unity, which 
characterizes civilized communities, to that law of providence, under 
which all inventions and discoveries, all arts and all sciences, seem to 
be rendered subservient to the great purpose of annihilating time and 



102 

space, breaking down prejudices and discordant differences, thereby 
preparing the way for the advent of that day, when nations shall be 
united in one family, whose law shall be justice, whose life shall be 
peace, and the grievances of whose individual members shall be happily 
settled by the collective wisdom of the whole. 

The following resolutions have been adopted by the Vermont Le- 
gislature :— 

Whereas, by the original articles of the confederation adopted by 
the States of this Union, it was provided that " Canada, acceding to 
this confederation, and joining in the measures of these United States, 
shall be admitted into and entitled to all the advantages of this Union." 
And, whereas, recent occurrences in the said Province of Canada, in- 
dicate a strong and growing desire on the part of the people thereof 
to avail themselves of the advantages of the foregoing offer, and to 
apply for admission among the sovereign States of this Union ; there- 
fore, resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives, that be- 
lieving the admission of Canada into this Union, to be a measure 
intimately connected with the permanent prosperity and glory of both 
countries, the government of the State of Vermont is earnestly desir- 
ous to see such re-union effected, without a violation on the part of the 
United States, of the amicable relations existing with the British Go- 
vernment, or of the law of nations. 

Resolved, The peaceful annexation of Canada to the United States, 
with the consent of the British Government and of the people of Ca- 
nada, and upon just and honourable terms, is an object in the highest 
degree desirable to the people of the United States. It would open 
a wide and fertile field to the enterprise and industry of the American 
people ; it would extend the boundaries and increase the power of our 
country ; it would enlist a brave, industrious and intelligent people 
under the flag of our nation ; it would spread wide the liberal principles 
of republican government, and promote the preponderance of free 
institutions in this Union. We, therefore, trust that our national go- 
vernment, in the spirit of peace and of courtesy to both the British 
Government and the people of Canada, will adopt all proper and 
honourable means, to secure the annexation of Canada to the United 
States. 

The following paragraph taken from an article in the " London Ex- 
aminer," edited by Mr Fonblanque, may probably be regarded as an 
exposition of the views of the Russell Administration, as the above 
named gentleman is an office-holder under it : — 

" As to England, in our humble opinion, she will be the greatest 
gainer of the three, by annexation. She will be relieved at once from 



103 

the heavy load of responsibility with which she is now burthened in 
her impossible attempts, at the distance ^of 4000 miles, to govern 
wisely a free people whom her statesmen never see, and of whom 
they know nothing beyond what they find recorded in sheets of fools- 
cap. Further, England will be relieved of the whole military, naval, 
and ordnance charges of the Canadas, all paid from the Imperial 
Treasury, and the amount of which, we believe, will not be overstated 
at a million pounds, per annum, contingencies included. Then, with 
a peaceful settlement she will be repaid for the great sums which she 
has lent for the construction of canals and other works. Neither will 
her commerce in any respect suffer, but, on the contrary, gain, as it 
did under more unfavourable auspices, after the separation of the Old 
Colonies. One of our contemporaries says, that the agitation of an- 
nexation by the Canadians would have been looked on > in the good 
old times,' as • high treason ;' but the ' good old times,' if that were 
so, were very foolish old times, and, in our opinion, Lord Elgin has 
acted with perfect wisdom in throwing no impediment in the way of a 
fair discussion of the question." 

As it regards the sentiments of the British public in reference to this 
question, you probably understand them better than myself, but as far 
as I have had opportunity of forming an opinion, I find that the ge- 
neral sentiment is in favour of the independence of all the Colonies, 
as soon as they have attained a condition of maturity to fit them for 
its advantages and responsibilities, viewing separation only as a ques- 
tion of time, and as the natural and necessary result of the very growth 
which the Parent State has fostered. 

I have also noticed, that a large class of persons suppose that the 
far-famed Indemnity Bill is the most important, if not the exclusive 
reason why the Canadians are anxious for an organic change in the 
constitution of their country. This is unquestionably true with regard 
to that class of the community with whom loyalty was the mere in- 
stinctive affections of the heart — an affair of the passions, and not of 
enlightened conviction and reason. This class who were ever ready 
with enthusiastic ardour to defend the claims of the British Crown at 
all hazards, whether right or wrong, have become effectually weak- 
ened in their attachment, by the passing of that bill, and are now as en- 
thusiastically enlisted in favour of annexation. You must, however, 
perceive from what has already been presented to your notice, that the 
desire for annexation on the part of the great majority of its advocates, 
is not based upon the Indemnity Bill, or upon any other isolated act 
of Lord Elgin, or any previous Governor, or government, but upon 
the general merits of the question ; and for those reasons which have 



104 

already been assigned, and others which might be given, were it deem- 
ed necessary. 

In conclusion, I may remark, that if it be true that the United 
States of America is, of all others, the most eligible field to which in- 
tending emigrants can direct their attention, then, the prospect of the 
annexation of Canada to that vast republic, furnishes additional reasons 
in favour of both countries, but especially of Canada. 

Since the above was written, the following estimated expenses of 
the Canadian Government has come to hand. It is taken from the 
" Christian Guardian," published in Toronto, and is dated November 
28, 1849. Its details will tend to show, that one of the great advan- 
tages of annexation would be a cheap and economical government, 
without the long previous campaign of six or seven years financial re- 
form. 



EXPENSES OF GOVERNMENT. 

We find in the " Gazette" of yesterday, a translation from the ' Ave- 
nir,' being a compiled statement of the expenses of our civil govern- 
ment, in the year 1848, which statement undoubtedly proves a vast 
amount of the extravagance, and the pressing need of immediate and 
very great reforms. We have not space for any thing beyond the heads 
of the entire article which shows the expenses of our executive to be as 
follows : — The Governor General's salary and contingent expenses con- 
nected with his office, £11,624, 19s. 8d. The Executive Council, 
£12,567, making altogether the sum of £24,261 between twenty-nine 
individuals. Cost for public edifices, £15,240, for rent, taxes, insur- 
ances, repairs, &c. Provincial Secretary's Department, nineteen per- 
sons, salaries, £3,507. Receiver General's Department, fourteen 
clerks and two messengers, salaries £3,692. Cost of the Customs' 
Department, employing 300 individuals, £34,000. Cost of Excise 
Department, about twenty persons, £3430, 19s. Cost of Registrar 
General's departments, six persons, £1,383, 12s. Id. Militia Depart- 
ment, £2,020. Emigration Department, £752, 4s. 2d. Pensions, 
£5,257, lis. 4d. Education Department, six persons, £1,175. Ad- 
ministration of Justice, 147 persons, with salaries amounting to 
£54,000. Queen's printers, for the session of 1848, £6,261, 4s. lid. 
Eight Commissioners, for 1848, £662, 14s. 6d. Geological Depart- 
ment. — Salaries of three persons, and contingent expenses, £2,160. 
Public works — exclusive of the salaries of the two heads of the De- 
partment, £36,520. Public Lands Department — entire cost £29,121, 
2s. 9d. Cost of the Legislature of 1848, with various contingent ex- 



105 

pauses, £25,624. Total, £265,905 for the civil government of a 
million and a-half of people. 



LETTER VII. 

Who ought to Emigrate, and what class of Persons are most likely to 
succeed in Canada ? 

These important questions, though variously answered, have yet 
to be answered with greater unanimity of opinion, that most others 
connected with the subject, and in conveying to you my own views 
relative to them, I may remark, that the only rational answer that can 
be given to these questions is, let those who are obliged to emigrate 
do so. Let no person who is doing well at home, no matter what 
may be his profession or occupation, emigrate, with the expectation of 
doing better — let him not leave the comforts and associations of home, 
and travel over the world in search of advantages which he may not 
find elsewhere. If, therefore, you are among this class, and have a 
rational prospect of placing your children in circumstances of comfort, 
by no means leave your native land in search of unreal enjoyment. 
But if you are not doing well, if you find it difficult to struggle against 
increasing competition, and are in constant dread of loss in busi- 
ness, of what little property you possess, — or if you find it difficult, 
with an increasing family, to cloth and educate them to the full extent 
that society expects you to do, and have not a reasonable prospect be- 
fore you of placing your children in a condition consistent with your 
position and relations to society, why, then, you may safely and rea- 
sonably emigrate to Canada, with a fair prospect of improving your 
condition. I may probably, however, answer your queries more satis- 
factorily by classifying my observations. 

In the 1st place, then, I remark, that the man of fortune, in my 
humble opinion, ought not to emigrate to Canada, unless he does so 
with a view to benefit others. If, with the higher and purer motives 
which an enlightened Christian benevolence supply, the man of abun- 
dant wealth is anxious to select a new and more enlarged sphere of 
usefulness, let him go to Canada; but he must not expect to find the 
elegancies of life, the refinements of society, and the fashionable 
amusements which the higher ranks regard as the necessary elements 
of their happiness, on a scale at all approximating to a state of society, 
such as is found in Great Britain, while, at the sametime, the neces- 
saries and most of the luxuries of life are cheaply and easily procured. 

2. To persons of small independent income, Canada certainly offers 





106 

great advantages in its principal towns, from the fact above alluded to. 
The taxes, too, are likewise much lighter than at home, and the means 
of education, as pointed out in a former Letter, much more easily se- 
cured ; these, in connexion with other advantages which the country 
afford, will enable you, to a much greater extent, and at less expense 
than is possible in England, successfully to provide for the settlement 
of your children in life. Young men, who combine energy of charac- 
ter with other natural talents, will find fresh fields annually opening 
to their enterprise, both in professional and mercantile pursuits, through 
the rapidly increasing developeraent of the resources of the Pro- 
vince, which are opening up channels for the exercise of abilities 
and perseverance ; and few youths possessed of these qualifications, 
need be apprehensive of not obtaining a competency. Investments 
can also be safely and profitably made, either for the purpose of yield- 
ing a present income, or as a future provision for your children. If, 
for the former, six per cent, (the legal interest of the Province,) and 
not unfrequently seven to ten per cent, may be obtained. If, for the 
latter object, your investment is made with judgment in real estate, 
it is certain of realizing, in the course of ten or twenty years, at least 
compound interest, and sometimes more, as property has increased 
ten-fold within the last twenty years; and should annexation take 
place, it will increase twenty-fold within the next ten years. There 
is another important consideration intimately connected with this, viz., 
that as exchange on England generally rules at nine to twelve and a- 
half per cent, premium, by going to Canada, therefore, you at once 
increase your capital in the same ratio. The exchange being twelve 
and a-half premium, renders £1, sterling, equal to £1, 5s. currency; 
so that the moment you reach Quebec with £100, sterling, in your pos- 
session, you are worth £125, sterling. 

3. To the agriculturist, either with limited means or abundant capi- 
tal, Canada holds out peculiar advantages — wild or uncleared land is 
abundant and cheap — improved farms are easy to be obtained by rent, 
lease, or purchase, on the most favourable terms, and in almost any 
part of the Province you may wish to select. Excellent farms, with 
all the necessary buildings can be rented or leased from 10s. to 20s. 
per acre, not requiring any thing like the capital necessary to carry on 
a farm, in Great Britain. Instances are not rare in which farming ope- 
rations may be immediately commenced, without any capital, arising 
from the mode in which farms are frequently rented. Not only is the 
tenant permitted to farm it on shares, as it is usually termed, giving 
one-third of the whole produce as rent; but to have the privilege 
of all the stock and implements necessary to conduct the operation of 
the farm, and that for an additional rent, often below the real value of 



107 

the privileges granted. You ask, Do rented farms remunerate ? I 
have only to answer the question by stating, that there are scores of 
persons within the limits of my own acquaintance, besides hundreds 
with whom I am not personally acquainted, who, after having lived 
seven or ten years upon rented farms, have saved enough to purchase 
one for themselves. The poorest agricultural labourer, if he has judg- 
ment and enterprise, may thus put himself in a position at once to ac- 
quire property. I have, in a former Letter, given you the prices of im- 
proved land, from which you will have perceived, that with from £250 
to £500, many good farms, with good buildings, and sometimes good 
orchards, may readily be obtained, situated within a day's journey to and 
from market. Frequently, too, valuable farms are to be met with for 
sale, upon which only one-third, or one-fifth of the purchase money is 
required, and from three to five years given for the payment of the 
balance. There is this peculiarity also in Canada, that, in the pur- 
chase of farms, you have almost unlimited choice. You can scarcely 
pass any farm in the most improved state which may strike your fancy, 
but what you might obtain, as nine-tenths of the farmers are ready to 
sell out when any offer is made to them approaching the real value of 
their property. This does not arise, as you might be led to suppose, 
from any general depreciation of the intrinsic or relative value of the 
property, but from a prevalent desire to obtain more land or larger 
farms. A great number of farmers, having a large number of boys, 
find 100 acres of land too small to give them all employment, and the 
surrounding farms having increased in value, they find it difficult to 
purchase them for their children ; hence they are prepared, however 
comfortable, to sell and go into the bush, where they can, with the pro- 
ceeds, purchase land for all their boys. Another important feature of 
agricultural pursuits in Canada is, that weavers, mechanics, and la- 
bourers, who are supposed to be, from the nature of their previous 
occupations, unfitted for the backwoods, often make good and success- 
ful farmers. Necessity is to them the mother of invention, and a per- 
son of ordinary abilities and perseverance, soon learns to become in 
turn, a joiner to-day, and a mason to-morrow — now a shoemaker, and 
then a tailor, constituting a Jack-of- all-trades. And although such 
persons may not, for sometime, make first-rate choppers or farmers, 
yet, after a little insight into the proper mode of managing matters, 
they soon succeed, and none need despair. It may also be proper 
here to remark, that by " cleared farms," is generally understood, those 
which have from thirty to eighty acres out of 100, cleared of all the 
trees, though in most, if not all of the fields, the stumps or roots yet 
remain, as it is from five to ten years before they rot down or are en- 
tirely removed. It is for such farms that the prices given in this and 



108 

a former Letter are calculated, and, of course, the price will always 
vary according to the quantity of land cleared and under cultivation, 
and the value of the buildings. It must, however, be borne in mind, 
that in every district there are some farms in particular situations, that 
are held considerably higher, as land in Canada is valued, not generally 
according to its quality, but according to its locality and other circum- 
stances. All the wild or uncleared land in the possession of the Crown, 
with very few exceptions, are sold at 6s. 6d. sterling, per acre, and may 
be obtained on application to any of the agents, a list of which may be 
found in my first Letter, with the number of acres to be disposed of 
in each district. 

The advantages of emigration to Canada, over those of other colo- 
nies, where the land is £\, per acre, will at once be seen. Nor will 
she suffer in this respect, when compared with the United States. For, 
when the difference in the premium of exchange between the two 
countries is considered, together with the extra expense incurred in 
reaching a field so distant as that in which the cheap land in the States 
is situated, it will be seen that Canada has the advantage. Indeed, 
there have been frequent instances in which Crown Lands have been 
sold for 3s. 3d. sterling. It may also be proper to inform you, that the 
unsatisfactory mode of selling Crown Land in Canada West, by way 
of periodical auction, has been discontinued for several years past. 
The whole amount of the purchase-money is now required down, 
when the sale is effected, and a government deed is immediately granted. 
In the purchase of Clergy Reserve Lands, however, the mode of dis- 
posing of them by ten annual instalments is still continued. The Ca- 
nada Company also have, within the last few years, altered the mode 
of selling their lands. They are offered by way of lease for ten 
years ; or, for sale, cash down. 

The rents payable 1st February each year, are about the interest, 
at six per cent., upon the cash price of the land. Upon most of the 
lots, when leased, no money is required down ; whilst upon the others, 
according to locality, one, two, or three years' rent must be paid in ad- 
vance, but these payments will free the settler from further calls, until 
the second, third, or fourth year of his term of lease. 

The settler has secured to him the right of converting his lease into 
a freehold, and of course, stopping payment of further rents, before the 
expiration of the term, upon paying the purchase money specified in 
the lease. 

The lessee has thus guaranteed to him the entire benefit of his im- 
provements and increased value of the land he occupies, should he wish 
to purchase. But he may, if he pleases, refuse to call for the freehold : 
the option being completely with the settler. 



109 

A discount, after the rate of two per cent., will be allowed for anti- 
cipated payment of the puschase money for every unexpired year of 
lease, before entering the tenth year. 

The company have lands in almost every part of Canada West; they 
consist of scattered lots of 200 acres each, and of blocks : the principal 
block of 1,000,000 acres, is the Huron district, situated on Lake Hu- 
ron, with a lake frontage of sixty miles, intersected by two grand lead- 
ing roads, on which more pains and labour have been bestowed than 
on any other roads of the same extent and magnitude in the Province. 
The other blocks, of from 3,000 to 9,000 acres, lie in the western 
district, and are, in most cases, within six to eight miles of navigable 
water. The roads in the western district, owing to the proximity of 
navigable waters, have not hitherto been so closely attended to as in 
many other parts of the Province ; excellent plank-roads, however, are 
now in actual progress. The scattered lots contain from 80 to 200 
acres each, and are to be met with in almost every township in the Pro- 
vince, and generally surrounded by settlements. 

r 4. As relates to those persons who emigrate with a certain amount 
of capital, which they wish to invest profitably in business, the country 
affords abundaut opportunities ; and after they have been long enough 
in it to enable them to estimate the advantages or disadvantages of any 
particular department of business, they may engage in it with safety 
and success. 

5. Mechanics and artizans of all descriptions, can always find em- 
ployment and good wages — blacksmiths, mill-wrights, engineers, ship- 
carpenters, house-joiners, cabinetmakers, millers, tailors, painters, shoe- 
makers, tanners, and curriers ; building is now carrying on more exten- 
sively in brick and stone — bricklayers, stonecutters, especially those 
capable of executing ornamental work, are often much in demand. 
Potters may be regarded as an exception, as there are no extensive 
potteries, nor is there any probability of being any, as there is not any 
suitable clay, for the manufacture of fine earthenware. There are a 
few potteries scattered through the country, where the coarser 
articles of earthenware are made. A limited number of good sailors 
might find employment in the various vessels navigating the lakes 
and rivers. 

It is very difficult to present any thing like a correct tabular view 
of the wages, per diem, paid to mechanics, artisans, and labourers, 
&c. 1st, Because they vary according to the ability of the work- 
man. 2nd, Because the great majority are hired by the month, 
with board, lodgings, and washing, if young or unmarried, and 
board if unmarried. 3rd, Because a large portion of work, of all 
descriptions, is done by the piece or job, as it is termed. The foU 



110 

lowing, however, maybe regarded as the general average: Agri- 
cultural labourers obtain from £2, to £2, 10s, currency, per month, 
with board, &c. Choppers, lumbermen, &c, from £2, to £2, 10s., 
with provision, and from £2, 10s. to £3, without board. Mechanics 
and artizans, of every description, readily obtain from £2, 10s. to 
£3. y with board, &c, and from £3, to £6, without board, &c. 
When they are employed by the day, they generally obtain from 
3s. 9d. to 7s. 6d., currency, per day, and day-labourers from 2s. 6d. 
to 5s., currency, per day. Female servants, who are in great de- 
mand, generally obtain from 10s. to £l, per month. It may be 
necessary here to remark, that frequently emigrants go about unem- 
ployed for months after their arrival, by refusing reasonable wages. 
They should not expect the highest wages until they have become 
acquainted with the various modes of conducting labour in the 
country, which differs, perhaps, materially from that to which they 
have been accustomed. It would, indeed, be to the advantage of 
the mass of domestic servants, if they were to hire for the first 
six months for their board alone, as it has been generally found 
necessary to instruct the majority, who have gone to Canada, in the 
most ordinary duties of household labour and economy. There is 
a wide field for thoroughly trained female servants ; and after the 
qualifications of such have been ascertained, they command the very 
highest wages. 

6. As it regards every-day labourers, the country, in my hum- 
ble opinion, is not prepared to receive and give employment to any 
large number of this class. While there is a constant demand for 
good agricultural labourers, yet, I think, it would be unwise to en- 
courage any extensive spontaneous emigration of the poor labour- 
ing population of Great Britain, or any systematic plan on the part 
of the Government, unless accompanied by some definite arrange- 
ment to place them at once upon land, with the necessary assist- 
ance, or to devise some means for their immediate employment. 

Some limited arrangements were made last year, by opening two 
great lines of road, the land along each side of which was divided 
into fifty acre lots ; and every male adult, actually settling on these 
roads, obtained from the Government a free grant of fifty acres, 
with the right to purchase fifty acres additional. One of these 
roads is called the Toronto and Sydenham road, and commences in 
the township of Melancthon, fifty-eight miles from Toronto, and 
runs to the township of Holland. There are 600 lots on this road, 
137 of which are settled, and several others are selected. The 
other is called the Durham road, commencing in the township of" 



Ill 

Nottawasaga, about seventy miles from Toronto, and is to be cut 
to Penetanguashine. There are 1100 lots upon this line of road, 
224 of which are already taken up ; and many more will doubtless 
be settled on this winter~and spring. The greater part of the lots 
have been taken up by persons who have been several yeras in the 
country. The scale- of arrangements is too limited. Both the 
Imperial and Provincial Parliaments ought, in my humble judge- 
ment, to devise some measure much more comprehensive in its 
character. 

It is not my intention to find fault with, and denounce the Go- 
vernment, for the numerous instances of the expenditure of the 
revenues of the country, for objects less important or beneficial to 
her interests, and less humane and benevolent to the thousands of 
her suffering population. If, however, the Government has been 
inattentive to its duties and responsibilities — if it has failed to an- 
swer the grand and paramount end for which governments alone 
ought to exist — the well-being and happiness of all — yet I may be 
permitted to ask, Has the question of emigration, as a great and 
practical mean for the accomplishment of this end, received that 
share of attention from those portions of the community, who have 
it in their power to aid their fellow-men, which iis importance de- 
mands ? Have they, who have almost moved earth and heaven to 
raise their fellow-countrymen in the scale of political privilege, and 
sought, with untiring energy, to redress their political wrongs, and 
guard their civil and religious liberties ? Have the philanthropists, 
the economists, and reformers of the day, given to this subject that 
carefulness and thoroughness of investigation, which, as a great 
practical measure of relief from the pauperism and suffering of our 
country, entitles it to their consideration ? I fear not. No : the 
charge of palpable indifference to this question cannot be warded off 
by many of the avowed benefactors of their race, who have allowed 
the occasional temporary relief they have afforded, to satisfy the dic- 
tates of conscience and humanity, and have left thousands sponta- 
neously to struggle on unaided, until they have succeeded in attain- 
ing a position effectually to relieve themselves. 

The various charitable institutions of our country, I humbly con- 
ceive, are too limited in their character ; and instead of providing 
mere temporary relief, they should contemplate placing their sub- 
jects in a position to help themselves. The benevolent associa- 
tions — the trade-unions and clubs — the industrial and ragged 
schools — the orphan asylums and parish charities — the city and 
town associations of relief — the denominations and churches of this 



112 

highly favoured country, ought all to contribute to this important 
end, — all should have their emigration pupils and societies ; and 
they are all practically defective without this great element of hu- 
man relief, as one of the primary ends of their organization. 

7. The voluntary associations and benefit societies, of every de- 
scription, existing among mechanics and others, could send out, 
annually, a number of their members, who would volunteer to go ; 
and how much more effectually would the objects of such societies 
be promoted by some such a plan as the following : — Take, for exam- 
ple, any one of the trade-unions numbering 100 members, and let 
each member contribute but one shilling, per month. This would 
yield, at the end of the year, £60. With this limited sum they 
could send out six young men, giving to each £10 ; or three mar- 
ried men and their families, giving to each family £20. If the 
number of members, and the scale of fees, were larger, of course a 
greater number could be sent out, or a larger amount appropriated 
to those who do go. 

8. On a similar principle, but on a much larger scale, city and 
town emigration societies might be formed, embracing all classes of 
the community. Funds might be created, by the poorer classes of 
labourers or tradesmen contributing sixpence, or one shilling, per 
month, entitling them to all the privileges of members. Annual 
contributions, and special donations, might be given by the wealthy 
and charitable classes of society ; and numbers of individuals or 
families, could be sent out, from year to year, with means to place 
themselves in circumstances of comfort. Such regularly organized 
societies might take under their care, and send out annually, a num- 
ber of the juvenile portions of the community, embraced within the 
various orphan asylums, industrial and ragged schools of this country. 
Children from ten to fourteen years of age, of both sexes, could be 
sent out under the direction of a qualified superintendent ; and it 
would not be difficult to obtain a sufficient number of gentlemen, to 
act as a board of commissioners in each of the principal towns of 
Canada, to whose care they might be assigned, and who would re- 
ceive applications from farmers, mechanics, and tradesmen, in want 
of servants or apprentices. Thousands of this interesting class 
could be most comfortably provided for, from year to year, and the 
great end sought by the previous care, expense, and instruction be- 
stowed upon them, would be most effectually secured. Removed 
from their early associations, there would be less probability of their 
falling back again into their former vicious habits, or of becoming, 
in process of time, a heavier burden upon the charitable institutions 



113 

of this country. Besides, the cost of sending them out when 
young, would not be more than half what it costs to send out an 
adult; and the laws of the Province, the value of their labour, and 
a well regulated public opinion, will be a sufficient guarantee against 
any ill treatment to which some might suppose they would be ex- 
posed. The advantages of such a system, I think, are so obvious, 
as not to require further illustration. 

10. As to the part that the denominations or churches of this 
country ought to take in this important matter, I have to remark, 
that it would be the most effectual mode of relieving the poor, who 
occasionally receive assistance from the various churches of which 
they are members. Most churches have their poor, and their funds 
for their relief. It is a serious fact, however, to which I fear, suffi- 
cient attention has not been directed, that the relief afforded is so 
limited in its character, as scarcely to deserve the name. How 
much better if each church had its emigration society. How many 
active pious young men, now struggling with difficulties, and unable, 
after years of toil, to obtain enough to place themselves in more 
favourable circumstances, might be sent out to Canada, where they 
would not only be placed in a position to benefit themselves, but to 
benefit others on a wider scale of usefulness. How many pious and 
devoted families, too, groaning beneath the pressure of poverty, 
might, through such an agency, be most effectually relieved. Were 
the churches of Great Britain directing their attention more fully to 
this question, and aiding, by direction and advice, those members 
who have means at their command, to enable them to emigrate 
without the pecuniary aid of their churches, under such a definite 
system of arrangements as those church societies would afford, a 
greater number of members would be secured to the churches 
abroad, as, in the absence of such arrangements, many, who have 
been consistent members at home, when they arrive in a new 
country, stand aloof from society, and are eventually lost to the 
churches of the land of their adoption. With the aid of mission- 
aries in all parts of the world, the most ample facilities are now en- 
joyed by the churches of Great Britain, to enable them most suc- 
cessfully to prosecute this important enterprise ; nor could such so- 
cieties fail to prove efficient auxiliaries to the various Missionary 
institutions of the day. Let but a fund be created by collections, 
subscriptions, and donations, and hundreds or thousands of the poor 
members of the various churches, sent out to Canada, who now 
only give their pence, and they will soon be in circumstances to 
enable them to give their shillings and pounds. 



114 

Taking the Wesleyan Methodist Church as an example, I ask her 
ministers and wealthy laymen, if there is a single circuit so poor as 
not to be able to provide funds to send out, at least, four poor mem- 
bers, one of whom might be a local preacher. With 496 circuits 
under the immediate pastoral care of the Conference, there could 
thus be sent out 496 local preachers, and 1488 accredited members. 
Nor could this annual drain upon the church be regarded as inju- 
rious to its connexional funds, as such a plan would contemplate 
the removal of those only who might voluntarily present themselves 
as unable to effect their own removal, and, consequently, as disqua- 
lified for contributing to the funds of the church. 

The advantages to the Canadian Church of the annual accession of 
such a class, will at once be obvious ; and I venture to predict, that 
if this, or some similar plan, were practically carried out, for six or 
seven years, by all the churches of Great Britain, the colonial churches 
generally would give up all claim for direct aid from their funds. 

1 have finally to observe, that, if churches and societies fail to 
take up this question, and make systematic arrangements to send 
out those who would willingly go, families can unite together, who 
purpose going, and by following the example of the German, Swiss, 
and New England emigrants, who settle in communities in the 
United States, they would soon have all the elements of comfort 
around them. Thus, for example, let ten or twenty families, who 
are intending to emigrate, and can take with them .£100, or £200, 
unite together, and get some friend, already in the country, or de- 
pute one of their own, in whose judgment and integrity they can 
place confidence, to go out the previous year, and purchase the 
requisite quantity of land, say 100 acres, for each family, and em- 
ploy a few hands to sow five acres with fall wheat, and erect a log- 
house or shanty on each lot, the total cost of which will stand thus : 

Purchase of 100 acres of Land, at 10s. per acre, £50 

Clearing and sowing five acres, 20 

Building Log-house, 10 

Total, £80 

It would not be judicious to expend more than this amount in 
improvement, until the arrival of the parties on whose behalf they 
are made. By leaving early in the following spring, they could 
reach their new home time enough to clear one or two acres for 
potatoes or Indian corn ; and the necessity of purchasing all then- 
provisions, until the next harvest, would thus be obviated. On their 
arrival, their friend would be at hand to conduct them to their des- 



115 

tination ; and a great amount of inconvenience, delay, and expense, 
would be avoided. A very great amount, also, of the early priva- 
tions and sufferings necessarily connected with the backwoodsman's 
life, would have no existence, as old associations would thus be con- 
tinued. Friends would be at hand in times of difficulty, affliction, 
or distress ; and the dreary solitariness of an isolated and helpless 
condition in the wilderness, would not be felt, paralyzing their ener- 
gies, or leading them often to sigh for their native home. Their 
numbers would at once secure the occasional services of the mission- 
ary, and enable them to erect a school-house, in which their reli- 
gious services would be conducted, and their children educated ; 
and in a few years their shanties would give place to the substantial 
house, or elegant cottage ; and their extensive clearings, large barns, 
and sheds — their blooming orchards, and neat church, afford suffi- 
cient evidence, that, by emigrating to Canada, they have improved 
their own condition, and are contributing to the wealth, intelligence, 
and consequent prosperity of the Province. 



LETTER VIII. 

General Advice — Preparations for the Voyage — Selection of a Port and 
Ship — Time of Departure — Course to be pursued on Arrival. 

In bringing your mind to a state of decision upon the subject of 
emigration to Canada, I cannot too strongly impress upon your 
attention the necessity of entertaining just and sober views relative 
to so important a step. Do not expect to find the country an El 
Dorado, or that any of its reasonable advantages are to be secured 
without unceasing toil, and unremitting perseverance. When once 
the step is taken, you will be the subject of a class of emotions 
which probably you have never experienced before, and brought 
into contact with a class of difficulties, and perhaps privations, 
which you did not anticipate or foresee ; and unless you are prepared 
manfully to rise above them all, you had better not emigrate. If, 
however, you have looked soberly at the question, and are so re- 
solved, you will not be likely to meet with any thing but what 
energy of character, and fixedness of purpose, will enable you to 
overcome. The first question generally proposed, after the point 
of decision is reached, is, What shall I take with me ? I answer, 
as little as possible. With the exception of a good stock of warm 
clothing, boots and shoes, and bedding and blankets, together with 



116 

a very few cooking utensils, all articles of household furniture 
should be converted into money ; besides a world of inconve- 
nience, they never will pay costs. Furniture of every kind, and of 
the best materials, can be purchased, in some parts of the Province, 
nearly as cheap as in England ; and at some of the auction-sales in 
Toronto, they can sometimes be purchased cheaper. If your cir- 
cumstances will enable you to take a cabin passage, and so on 
through to the place of your destination, why, then, you can dis- 
pense with your beds and cooking utensils, as you will not need 
them. Endeavour to get all that you purpose taking with you, into 
as few boxes as possible. Do not let them be too small and nume- 
rous on the one hand, or too large and unwieldy on the other. If 
you can pack all your luggage in two or three boxes, from three 
and a-half to four feet long, two feet deep, and one and a- half wide, 
so much the better, as they will not only be handy to manage, but 
will stow most conveniently in the kind of waggons used in the 
country for land carriage. See that all your luggage has your 
name on it, and the name of the place at which you intend finally 
to disembark, either painted on the side of your boxes, or written 
on a card, and nailed fast on the end above the handles. You will 
thus save yourself much trouble and anxiety in hunting for your 
luggage, should any of it be displaced, and you will the more 
readily find it, should any of it be lost. 

As it regards the quality and quantity of provisions necessary for 
the voyage, you will, doubtless, be guided by the length of your 
purse, and the peculiarities of your taste. As a general rule, how- 
ever, I may remark, that those articles which keep best, such as 
dried and pickled meats and fish, and those which require least 
cooking, are to be preferred. Flour and oatmeal should be taken in 
preference to hard biscuit ; and by taking a quantity v of ^erman and 
other prepared yeasts, fresh bread, so very desirable at sea, could be 
obtained at pleasure. Not less than ten weeks stock of provisions 
should be laid in. A little wine or spirits for gruel, and a few 
oranges and lemons, to cheat sea-sickness, will be found very use- 
ful, and a box or two of pilis, and a few ounces of salts, or any 
other mild opening medicine. If you take seidlitz powders, or soda 
powders, or any other description of acids and alkalies, let them be 
put up in phials, well corked, instead of paper, otherwise they will 
dissolve before half your passage is complete. 

in selecting the place of departure, you will probably be in- 
fluenced by considerations of comfort, economy, and convenience. 
The eastern and western ports, from which vessels usually sail, have 



117 

their relative advantages. In sailing from any of the eastern ports, 
such as Newcastle, Shields, Sunderland, Stockton, Hull, or London, 
the passage will be a week or fortnight longer ; but the charges for 
cabin passengers are lower, with the exception of London, and the 
ships generally are not so crowded with passengers. In selecting 
any of the western ports, such as Liverpool, Glasgow, Greenock, 
and the principal ports of Ireland, the passage is considerably 
shorter, which is an important consideration ; but the ships are 
generally so densely and shamefully crowded, that the disease and 
death of one-third of the passengers is often the necessary conse- 
quence. The charges for steerage passengers, from the various 
ports, are from £2, 10s. to £3, without provisions, and from £20, to 
£25, for cabin passengers, including provisions. Some vessels carry 
second cabin passengers : the charges for such are £5, without pro- 
visions, and from £10, to £15, including provisions. In selecting a 
ship, be careful not to make any definite engagements with passen- 
ger-brokers or agents, until you have examined the ship, and seen 
the captain and mate. See that the ship is high and roomy, and 
well ventilated between decks. You will not have any great diffi- 
culty in finding one of that description, as a number of ships are so 
constructed. Ascertain, if possible, the character of the ship for 
sea-worthiness and swift sailing. Look at the captain and mate 
with the eye of a phrenologist, and be satisfied that their manners 
are kind and obliging. Inquire into their professional skill, remember- 
ing, that not only your comfort during the voyage, but your health 
and life, depend, in a great measure, upon such considerations. 

The best time to sail is in the months of March, April, and 
May, as the passage is not only shorter, from the general prevalence 
of easterly winds during those months, and labourers of every de- 
scription, arrive in time to take advantage of the spring and summer 
work, and have sufficient opportunities to secure a home for their 
families, before the severity of the winter sets in. Emigrants, who 
arrive earliest, are generally too late to rent farms to be entered 
upon in the spring, and consequently have to wait for one, to be 
entered upon in the fall, and thereby subject themselves to the ne- 
cessity of purchasing the whole of their winter's provision. If you 
cannot leave early, you would do better to remain until the following 
spring, unless you have friends in the country to whom you can 
repair. A vast amount of privation and suffering to the persons 
themselves, and of expense to the Province, would be avoided, if 
emigrants would go out early. 

On your arrival at Quebec, if you have plenty of time and money 



118 

to spare, you may remain a few days, and visit the heights of Abra- 
ham — the fortifications of Cape-Diamond — the cathedral, and the 
convents, and other places of public interest ; but if you have no 
money to throw away, proceed without delay to the place you have 
fixed upon as your final destination, or where your friends reside. 
If you have no friends in the country, you ought to select some 
definite portion of the Province, to which all your luggage should 
be directed, and to which you should at once repair. You ran then 
avail yourself of all the local facilities of information within your 
reach. If you go out as an agricultural labourer, you will find employ- 
ment among the wealthy farmers, in the old settlements, in almost any 
part of the Province. Do not linger, therefore, long about the towns. 

If it is your intention to purchase land, or engage in business, I 
cannot too strongly impress upon your attention the necessity of 
caution, in entering into any engagement with land-speculators, and 
others ; yet, on the other hand, do not render yourself foolish by 
suspecting every person as a land-jobber or pick-pocket, who may 
converse with you about business, or tender you their advice. The 
most effectual way to guard against all imposition, is not to purchase 
land until you have been at least one or two years in the country. 
If you purchase land immediately on your arrival, you are sure to 
pay at least one-third more for it than you would do after you have 
been some time in the country. If you have capital, and can afford 
to remain unemployed for a few months, take up your residence in 
some village in the part of the Province you would prefer locating 
yourself. You will there have an opportunity of looking about you, 
and ascertaining the quality of the land in the neighbourhood, and 
learning its relative advantages and value. By constant intercourse 
with farmers, you will get an insight into the mode of farming, as it 
is carried on in the Province, the cheapest method of clearing land, 
and the value of labour — all very essential things for you to know. 
If, however, you have not sufficient means to enable you to pursue 
the above course, then your next course is to rent a farm for one or 
two years; after which you will be in a more advantageous position, 
either to purchase a farm, or to rent or lease one for a term of years. 

Time and caution is equally necessary to enable you to enter ad- 
vantageously into business, should that be your object in emigrating 
to the country. Should you engage in some business speculation 
immediately on your arrival in the country, you are likely to invest 
your money in some concern which the owner has found unprofit- 
able, and is therefore glad to part with it, and you may in turn have 
to sell out, after having incurred a heavy loss. You may rest 



119 

assured, that those who have been in the country a number. of 
years, know much better what speculations are profitable, than those 
who have only been out a few weeks or months ; and they are not 
likely to part with any really profitable concern, without receiving 
full value for it ; and a business, that may afford a very good return 
to one accustomed to the mode of doing it, may turn out to be a 
losing concern in the hands of a stranger. 

Your best and safest course is to invest your capital in good secu- 
rities, and live upon the interest, and place your sons, if you have 
any, in some good business establishment ; and when you and they 
have acquired a knowledge of the commercial affairs of the Pro- 
vince, you will be able to engage safely in some department of 
business, and realize handsome profits on the capital you might 
have lost by an earlier investment. 

I have now probably said enough for your caution and direction ; 
and unless you are regardless of all advice, you need not commit 
the blunders, or be subject to the failures which some have expe- 
rienced ; and unless you are guilty of the folly of planting yourself 
beyond the bounds of civilization and of roads, you need never be 
beyond the reach of medical attendance, churches, and schools. 
You can obtain as much land as you wish to purchase, at a very 
moderate rate ; and whatever property you acquire, is as secure as 
if it were in England, and is gradually increasing in value. Your 
children, growing up in the country, will acquire a knowledge of its 
customs, and the various modes of doing business in it ; and, by 
care and industry, neither you nor them will be troubled with any 
fearful forebodings as to the future. The question of emigration, in 
my humble opinion, is one of a very simple nature; and if these 
unpretending epistles shall have assisted you, and others of my fel- 
low-countrymen, in solving it, I shall be satisfied : they will have 
explained my views as to the sufficiency of the means existing in 
Canada, of greatly alleviating the distress occasioned by an over- 
crowded home population. 

The endeavour thus to point out the resources of this interesting 
colony, has been made under the fullest strength of conviction, rest- 
ing on my own mind, that they are among the best available means 
for relieving the misery of my native country ; and these Letters are 
sent forth in humble prayer to Him on whom all creatures depend, 
that the bounties of his providence may be enjoyed by them in this 
life, and the blessings of his grace in the life to come. 

All emigrants in want of information or employment, should 
apply to the Government Agents, whose names are given below, 



120 

who will direct them to places where they will find work, and fur- 
nish all necessary information as to routes, distances, and rates of 
conveyance, to those parts of the Province to which settlers may be 
desirous of proceeding. 

EMIGRANT AGENTS. 

Chief Emigrant Agent for Lower Canada, A. C. Buchanan, Que- 
bec. Sub- Agent, A. Coulan, Montreal. Chief Agent for Canada 
West, A. B.Hawke, Toronto. Sub- Agent, A.B.Hawke, jun., Kingston. 

The following is a table of distances, &c, alluded to in the first 
Letter : — 

Dis- Fare. 

Route. tance. Currency. Time. 

From Quebec to Montreal, calling at {JfiT 
Three Rivers and Sorel lSljfko 5 From 12 to 14 hours. 

From Montreal to Kingston, calling 
at Cornwall, Dickenson's Land- 
ing, Williamsburg, Matilda, Ed- 
wardsburgh, Prescott, Maitland, 
Brockville, and Gananoque 193 10 About 34 hours. 

From Kingston to Toronto, calling 
at Cobourg, Port-Hope, Bond- , 
Head, Port- Darlington,and Whit- 
by. The Royal Mail Steamers 
only call at Cobourg and Port- 
Hope 177 10 About 18 hours. 

From Toronto to Hamilton 45 2 6 5 hours. 

Total 600 £17 6 About 3 days. 

Children are charged half-price, and infants free. One hundred 
weight may be regarded as the average amount of luggage allowed 
for each passenger on his route generally. Emigrants proceeding 
to the Western States will find the St Lawrence routevmuch shorter 
and cheaper than by way of New York. They can take their choice of 
first visiting Canada, by way of Toronto to Niagara, distant forty-two 
miles; from Niagara to Queenston, seven miles; from Queenston to 
Chippawa, ten miles; from Chippawa to Buffalo, eighteen miles; and 
from BuffalotoCleaveland,191miles,ordirectfromChippawatoCleave- 
land, Toledo, Detroit, Mihvankie, and Chicago. Or if they prefer pass- 
ing on direct to any part of the Western States, they may find vessels 
at Quebec proceeding direct to all of the above named ports. 



FINIS. 



IMUNTK1) HV ANDERSON & BRYCE. 



